So much potential, so little talent - Runner FreshDirect Employee Review

1.0
31 Mar 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Tips on the routes, and that's about it. The employee discounts are laughable!

Cons

Where do I begin? The hiring practices are deceptive, if you respond to an offer of employment, from anywhere other than the fresh direct web site, you are actually being signed up through an agency (vertex global) and you do not actually become an employee of fresh direct after a three month probationary period. You have to go for a drug/ screen background check, and then they tell you to come in after the results. And this is the problem, they NEVER, EVER follow through on contacting you! If you don't call everyday asking what is the status of the application, you will surely be left in limbo. Sometimes the background checks aren't even done, delaying the start time for training even more. After the 3 to 4 (depending on how they feel) days of training, you get locks, straps and a pouch for the scanner you will be using. You also should recieve your schedule for the route you will be using to make deliveries, but once again the communication from fresh direct (or vertex global rather) is abysmal and you may be left sitting at home for another 2-3 weeks before someone decides to let you know when you will be working. This inevitably puts many people in a tight situation as they never really have an idea of when they will start working. The job itself is very labour intensive, much heavy lifting of goods is involved for the runner position, and tips can be few and far in between depending on where your route is. They pay $8/hr and if this isn't bad enough, the paychecks are ALWAYS short!! Sometimes it takes weeks to be corrected. On top of that, you may barely even make 40hrs/week. Some co-workers are ok, but many are a complete mess! Always high before, during, and after their shifts. This company is notorious for its horrendous turnover, they seem to pride themselves in the fact that they hire every week, 52 weeks a year!

Explore other reviews about FreshDirect

5.0
22 July 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

lots of opportunities if you are hard worker, recognition, award

Cons

working overtime, everybody is responsible for anything happening

3.0
8 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

What I loved about this job is getting full ownership over my part of the business, and I know a lot of people stick around because they feel a similar passion and ownership. Even though the company is 25 years old, there are still many areas where a much work is needed and therefore great opportunity for new people to come in and make big impact.

Cons

No flexibility for employees to work from home when needed, and terrible PTO package. The family leadership is not transparent, makes questionable business decisions.

4
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