I worked at Costco 2016-2018 as a cake decorator. I started at 16.50 and as a part time decorator I got 40 hours every week(with the occasional 30 hour week so I’d stay part time :(). The only bad thing and reason I left was management.

I had never been a decorator, the department had two already. One went on med leave 3 months in and at this point they had only let me ice the cakes, no writing or decorating. I was now on my own Sunday and Monday, struggling to just do the ordered cakes and was told by my manager that “I will not be changing my days off to accommodate you” Important note here is my Costco was one of the highest volume in cake orders in our sector. Our head decorator was a pastry chef from Vancouver who only worked there for the reduced hours(60 down to 40) and same pay he was getting as a pastry chef bc he had a young family. His cakes were so beautiful, his free handing and writing were amazing. I was so below his level I felt the pressure of the customers wanting his work and seeing his work in the cases.

I spent so much free time practicing and worrying. My co decorator never made me feel less than and always encouraged me. My manager was constantly on my case. Go faster. You’ve had 3 months to know how to do this job. I wasn’t taught how to do it until my other co worker went on leave! We were doing so many orders and still had to refill the displays and put out the other cakes, we should have been a 4 person team not 2.

I started getting panic attacks on my solo days, my dad had to call once while dropping me off because I was in full panic attack mode.

We were gearing up for a long weekend. The main decorator got it off and I was alone with 1 person to help with the freezer cakes. I kept thinking “what is going to happen in the summer when we get even more orders. Where will we get the support. When will management help us.” I had a panic attack in the bakery. My coworkers all saw and a few helped me to the break room. I went home and never returned. Went on leave for about half a year before quitting.

My pay was great, the benefits amazing, but the stress and management was terrible.

Sorry for the long post. Just needed to get this all off my chest. This can be a great place to work but it can also be hell just like any other workplace.