order picker

forklift operator

packer

sanitation worker

inventory associate

Associated Wholesale Grocers

Not enough money for what you gotta do on a daily basis, 8-12 hour shifts just but if you really need a job it can get you by for awhile **The Dangers of Overworking: A Modern Epidemic**

In today’s fast-paced, productivity-driven world, overworking has become a widespread issue that affects individuals across different industries and professions. The pressure to achieve more, meet tight deadlines, and outperform competition often pushes people to sacrifice their well-being in favor of work. While hard work is often glorified, overworking leads to a series of negative consequences that affect not only personal health but also work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life.

### Physical and Mental Health Impacts

One of the most immediate and noticeable consequences of overworking is the toll it takes on physical and mental health. Prolonged working hours with little rest can lead to exhaustion, chronic stress, and sleep deprivation. Over time, this can manifest in more serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and a weakened immune system. The mental effects of overworking are equally concerning. Burnout, anxiety, and depression are common among those who continuously push themselves beyond their limits. The constant demand to meet expectations can overwhelm the brain, making it difficult to focus, process information, and solve problems effectively.

### Decline in Productivity and Creativity

Contrary to popular belief, overworking does not necessarily lead to higher productivity. While it may seem like putting in more hours will result in more work being accomplished, the opposite is often true. As individuals become more fatigued, their ability to concentrate diminishes, leading to mistakes and a reduction in the quality of their work. Additionally, creativity often suffers when individuals are mentally drained. The ability to think outside the box, innovate, and come up with fresh ideas requires a well-rested mind. Without breaks and sufficient relaxation, cognitive abilities deteriorate, leading to diminished problem-solving skills and reduced overall performance.

### Strain on Personal Relationships

The negative effects of overworking are not limited to the individual; they extend to personal relationships as well. When work consumes the majority of one’s time and energy, there is little left for family, friends, or social activities. This imbalance can lead to

A typical day at work is working in extrema heat in the summer and never knowing what time you may be getting off as management often says "I don't know" when asked an average day for my position is 9-12 hours.

I learned just how unprofessional and horrible people are allowed to be without even a slap on the wrist. 

Half of the management is incompetent  and the other half is just malicious if they don't want you working there they will gossip and target you until you quit. Management  regularly lies to staff. example several people out there have put in for time off and then been pointed or reprimanded for taking the time they had approved due to "management losing your request form" if you report a violation or coworkers for any reason you are treated like an annoyance. they often put the blame on the employees for the long hours and lack of staff. Telling us "well if you guys would just try harder to get friends to work here the hours would go down" if you want any chance of being treated well you better brown nose from day 1.

The culture is very unique in the sense that most people have realized they don't care what you do out there so many people just hang around and talk or gossip while doing a poor job. you will be rewarded for doing the wrong thing as long as you can make your numbers appear high they don't care if you're doing it correctly or not.

The hardest part of the job is the people and the management, people are constantly turning on one another and talking badly about others including management. they often say one thing and do another and coworkers will do petty things like leave more work for you or make it so you finish last in the day depending if they like you that day or not.


the most enjoyable part of the job is going home nothing makes going home feel more amazing then working a 10 hour shift in 100 degree heat while people talk behind your back and purposely do things to sabotage you.

Unless you're still young and fresh out of highschool, I would not recommend applying here because you realistically won't be taking home as much as they try to make it sound like at the end of the week. On the positive side, you will get paid weekly and can opt for daily pay if need be. On the negative side, you probably won't be kept around after the 90 day probationary period as expected from most warehouse environments. You'll notice that a lot of their full time employees start coming back a few at a time whether it be from vacation leave, or potential layoffs during slower seasons and then that's about the time you start to notice more of the people you got hired with disappearing one by one because they're being walked out of the warehouse before that period ends being asked to resign which I assumed at the time was so they don't have to pay you unemployment as a new hire because if they outright fire you then they can't tell you that you're able to reapply in 90 days when they probably need the extra help again, and as I said "this coming from experience" that's how it typically is with most large warehouse jobs unless you're hired through a temp agency which makes it more difficult to get rid of you because those companies sign a contract with those agencies for x amount, and they don't make money if you're not at that warehouse working. Again "been there, done it enough to know the game all too well." If you sign a letter of resignation, then you can go back and reapply after set timeframe and possibly get your job back because technically you aren't considered "terminated" per say and are listed as a potentially rehireable candidate that's already trained for the job, although from what full time workers had to say, you probably won't be hired as a selector if they do hire you back into the warehouse depending on your production numbers, you'll probably be doing something else.

Job only cares about cases getting out the door.  Very physical job. If you get sick/hurt you have to miss three days to get paid and pay doesn't start until the third day. Two weeks vacation and you have to take off a week off at a time. Off days can change at the last moment. Nepotism at its highest. No great work/home life balance you'll see co workers more than your wife and kids. Pay is every Thursday. Base salary for hourly is about 45 to 47 thousand but end of the year you'll see about $70,000+ due to all the overtime. Management can be unappreciative and rude to employees due to being unpaid and overworked. Nobody feels valued. Company would be better with a union but such talk there will get you fired. Very high turnover. $22hr, health and dental insurance, 401k, vacation time, christmas bonus you'll think would be enough to keep people there but no. No women work on the floor (only in the offices) the job is too physical for most to handle. Equipment is a joke. Be prepared to never have a fully functionally piece of equipment. Maintenance will fix it then once you start riding it, it'll be broken again. And when you First start working there be prepared for there only to be broken equipment to work with, that they will expect you to get production on. First and second shift use the same equipment which is mainly to blame for this. Warehouse is too small for the amount of work they Try and push out the door so safety is a big issue. OSHA would have a lot to say if they knew about the work conditions and common practices. Employees speak up about things but voices go unheard. Things only get fixed when someone gets hurt. Lastly there are not to many jobs to grow into. I've worked about 8 different jobs there and never felt like I've made it. Every job is stressful and you'll always feel underpaid and overwhelmed. It's best to figure out what job you can handle the most and deal with it the best you can.

The following is true to the best of my knowledge.

Pay is high, but so is workload. Most employees are good folk, but the environment can be stressful which can lead to altercations. Extreme turnover rate for new hires, only a couple from each "round" doesn't leave after a week.
New hires are restricted to first shift only.

Management will mislead you regarding projected workload in the days and weeks preceding a busy holiday. 4th of July shift was 13 hours long, despite promises of a 7 hour shift. Was constantly put in a part of the warehouse with a higher workload than the one I applied for, but this could have been a sign of confidence in my ability from management rather than malice. Overall, management is not nearly as bad as some other companies I have worked for. 

Some cases were heavier than the job description stated, up to 120 pounds. 

Lastly, there's the shady union. Being in the union guarantees holidays, 8 hour shifts, higher pay with additional incentive based on how much you exceed your quota, and benefits that I assume are substantial. However, getting into the union is a herculean task. The requirement for joining is to exceed your quota for at least 2 weeks, which was nearly impossible in the part of the warehouse I was in, unless you were Arnie in his prime. Second, there had to be an open "slot" in the union, which I won't pretend to understand how that's supposed to work.

This all may sound very critical and negative, but I would work here again once I get myself in better physical shape and my schedule allows me to work 1st shift again.

Working as a Warehouse Manager/Supervisor at Associated Wholesale Grocers in Springfield, Missouri, offers several advantages for professionals seeking a rewarding yet demanding career.

Pros:
One of the standout aspects of this role is the above-average pay compared to similar positions in the region. Additionally, the company provides strong benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks that enhance job security and employee well-being. The work environment fosters teamwork, and management is generally supportive, offering opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization.

Cons:
The position does come with its challenges, primarily the higher-than-average work hours required to ensure operations run smoothly. Seasonal spikes, such as during holidays or peak retail periods, often lead to significant overtime demands. While this overtime can boost income, it may impact work-life balance for those unprepared for the time commitment.

Conclusion:
This role is ideal for individuals with strong organizational and leadership skills who are willing to put in extra time during peak periods. The compensation and benefits make it worthwhile, but the workload and seasonal demands are important factors to consider when deciding if this position aligns with your career and personal priorities.

I went to AWG after being laid off. 

You would think openings would be hard to come by with the compensation and benefits package they offer employees. Instead, they are always hiring. I shake my head everytime I drive by and read the wanted sign. 

They purposely make it extremely difficult and almost impossible for new employees to get their numbers and raise. They force new employees to pick hundreds of orders for hours and hours while operating unsafe and hazardous forklifts. At the same time, they give very easy orders, with very limited stops, to the oldheads who operate the safer and newer lifts. They leave early and still get OT pay. Management then turns around and talk to you crazy and try to mentally tear you down like you are less than a man because you do not get your numbers. Management was angry they were not able to tear me down. I trully believe some were threathened my degree and work ethic. 

The great and dedicated employees who would benefit the company do not stay and allow boys to take advantage of them. We go on to thrive and become productive employees for companies and managers who appreciate our work habits and work ethics. The physical and mental abuse is not worth the chump change. I've never experienced a co. like AWG and pray I never again. 

Awg is the creator of their own demise and will get what they deserve if they do not change their work environment and attitudes. Good luck.

A typical day at work would include preparing pallets by following prescribed stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets. Recording numbers of units handled and moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets. Packing containers and re-pack damaged containers. Regularly achieved over 100% of my production standard. I learned an overall sense of urgency which follows me everywhere. I learned how to lift and bend safely and according to OSHA policy. My managers and I were very in sync with what we expected out of each other and gradually formed a good supervisor to order selector kind of relationship. I was always open to constructive criticism. The same with my co-workers. There was a professional balance between all of the employees that kept things running smoothly but in a positive and encouraging way. The hardest part of my job but getting up and going in to work everyday and going my hardest. Along with my co-workers, I knew that to reach the production standard, there's no slacking off. In a way too, that was also my single most favorite thing about the job. The challenge. Going in to work and giving my absolute 100% really gave me something to be proud off after a long day at work. Going over my quota always brought a proud smile to my face.

This company really gave me a leg up, as the skills and experience I gained while I was there. After some time they saw I was dependable and let me venture out on my own to meet the requirements in my position. They worked with me on my hours and private time off needs. I genuinely
did love working here and hoped it would be my place I would retire. And unfortunately, I made my own bed and was asked to resign. If I could go back and done some things different that would have avoided it reaching the boiling point, I definitely would. I miss the people and the actual job. They are a business and a corporate one at that, so youre expected to act accordingly. You have to work hard and professionally. But if you can manage that, you are golden. The people are excellent and the company is an all around good guy, they donate to charities and have fun interoffice luncheons and raffles. They really care about their people, but like any relationship, don't bite the hand that feeds you.

I finished a month being employed for AWG Nashville as an Outbound Perishable Shipping Clerk in name only. Not only was I not allowed to grow in my job because of a selfish management system that ignores you and treats you like garbage, they expect you to work mindless hours with little to now sleep. On average the body is required to have 7-8 hours sleep for you to function properly. Instead, they choose to hire less management for cost and make the most of what they have with subpar facilities and less than stellar technology. This company is not worth it from a growth perspective. Unless you need the money fast, stay away from them. A typical day can range from 12 to 14 hours for assistants and order selectors. I didn't learn anything because the culture doesn't allow growth within the company. If anything the most enjoyable part of the job was the amount of money coming in. The hardest part of the job was staying until "everything is finished" .

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Order picker 39 salaries reported	$27.17 per hour
Forklift operator 7 salaries reported	$25.08 per hour
Packer 30 salaries reported	$25.90 per hour
Sanitation worker 21 salaries reported	$21.17 per hour
Inventory associate 12 salaries reported	$19.83 per hour

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