If you found this article you’re either considering a job at Hobby Lobby, have an interview scheduled, or are a recent hire with questions. So I thought I’d try to fill the void and I enrolled a friend who’s worked at Hobby Lobby for over a year to answer all my questions. Here’s everything you need to know about the job perks, discounts, and benefits at Hobby Lobby.

They Offer a 15% Employee Discount

All Hobby Lobby employees get a 15% off employee discount on in-store purchases regardless of position or seniority.

The discount will work on sale and clearance items as well, along with any coupons that you stack for additional savings.

Only Full-Time Employees Get Health Benefits

Only full-time Hobby Lobby employees who work over 35 hours a week are eligible for health benefits.

You also need to work for at least 30 days to be eligible as a full-time worker.

See Also: Here’s the Hobby Lobby Sale Schedule….Use It to Save BIG

BEWARE OF THE FULL TIME “CARROT DANGLE”

According to some Hobby Lobby employees, they’ll schedule you for 40+ hours a week but never consistently enough to qualify for full-time benefits. It would be one week at 40 hours followed by a week at only 32 hours. Then at busy times of the year they would have part timers work 40+ hours but sign a waiver saying they waive their full time status and accompanying benefits. Just something to be aware of.

Dental Insurance Is Also Available

Full-time employees also get dental insurance.

The same eligibility rules apply to dental coverage as medical.

Unfortunately Tuition Assistance is Not Available

Unlike the folks at Starbucks, Hobby Lobby does not offer to pay or reimburse you for your college tuition.

But I was told that some locations will offer discounts for employees to attend local junior colleges and universities.

If you know anything about this please drop a comment, thanks.

PRO TIP: HOURLY PAY DISCREPANCY

Hobby Lobby has been known to offer part-time employees a substantially lower hourly salary compared to full-timers. If you’re only looking for part-time employment, you’d be smart to politely ask during your interview what the job pays in comparison to full-time employees. You can then make an informed decision on what you’ll be paid as you might be better off working at another craft store or perhaps a store like HomeGoods, Michaels, or Joann’s.

Will I Get Any Paid Time Off (PTO)?

Yes. Full-time employees start accumulating vacation after 6 months of work.

You’ll start at 1 week PTO per year, then at 5 years it goes to 3 week PTO, and after 10 years it jumps to 4 weeks paid vacation per year.

I was also told by my friend, who works at Hobby Lobby, that her store does not let folks take vacation days in November, December, or January.

Part-time workers unfortunately do NOT get any paid vacation or time off.

See Also: Hobby Lobby Return Policy: How It Works + Savings Hacks

Hobby Lobby Offers 401(k) Matching Too

Hobby Lobby does offer a 401(k) program which includes a company match.

Specifically, they’ll match 100% of the first 3% of your contribution and then a flat 50% matching after that.

In order to get the company match I was told that you need to work 1,000 hours as a part-time employee or 1 full year as a full-time employee.

But you certainly don’t have to wait that long to start contributing to your 401(k). For part-time workers you can start after 90 days and full timers can start after 30 days.

Employees Gets a Christmas Bonus

Full-time employees get a bonus at the end of November of $100 for the first year of employment.

The Christmas bonus then goes up by $100 each subsequent year.

So the 2nd year you’d get $200, 3rd year would be $300, and so on.

The part-time Christmas bonus works the same but it’s only $50 for the first year but grows at the same rate as full-time employees.

Paid Maternity Leave For Full-Time

If you’re a salaried employee at Hobby Lobby, or a store manager, you WILL get paid maternity or adoption leave of 6 weeks.

If you’re a part-time employee you’ll get 6-8 weeks maternity leave that is unpaid.

Hobby Lobby Requires a Drug Test

I was told that warehouse employees have to do a swab drug test before they’re officially hired.

Not sure about cashier and sales floor positions, let me know in the comments if you know.

Also, I was told that they reserve the right to drug test after an accident or injury that occurred while working at Hobby Lobby.

See Also: 25 Hobby Lobby Savings Tips to Insure You NEVER Pay Full-Price

Will a Medical Marijuana Card Make You Exempt?

No.

My friend said she has an acquaintance who has a medical marijuana card and applied for a job at Hobby Lobby.

They were denied employment because of this.

This could vary by store, I’m not sure. Let me know if you know.

See Also: Here Are the Hobby Lobby Hours So You’ll Know When You Work

Be Prepared For a Math Test During Hiring Process

My friend had to take a basic math test right after her Hobby Lobby interview which she said was “pretty easy”.

The test was graded right on the spot by a co-manager and she passed it with flying colors.

Hobby Lobby Does Hire Felons

BUT…the felony that you were convicted of CANNOT be within the last 7 years.

This internal policy goes for all positions at Hobby Lobby and is part of the background check that they perform on ALL applicants.

Ask the Reader: Help me make this article the most accurate Hobby Lobby employment resource online by dropping a comment with what you know. Is there anything about their job benefits, employee discount, or hiring process that I missed or got wrong?

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)