Costco Seasonal to Permanent: How to Survive the "90-Day Probation" Cut

You survived the Christmas rush. You survived the parking lot chaos. You survived the members fighting over $4.99 chickens.

Now comes the hard part: Surviving the Cut.

Every year between January and February, Costco "releases" (fires) about 80% - 90% of the seasonal staff they hired in October. It is the "Grim Reaper" season in the warehouse.

But for the lucky few who survive, it is the winning lottery ticket.

• The Prize: A job that starts at ~$18.50/hour but automatically scales to **$30+/hour** within a few years, with full benefits and a pension.

If you are currently sweating through your 90-day probation, this guide is your survival manual. We break down the unwritten rules managers use to decide who stays, the "Student Retention" loophole, and why being fast is less important than being on time.

Did you get cut? Don't panic. Check out our guides on Traffic Control Tech Jobs ($35/hr) or Forklift Certification to pivot quickly.

1. The Math: Why You Want This Job (The "Golden Handcuffs")

Costco is not Walmart. It is the only retail job in Canada where you can make a middle-class living pushing carts.

Here is the 2026 Reality of the "Employee Agreement":

The Goal: You are not fighting for $19/hr. You are fighting for the future $32/hr. That is why the competition is so brutal.

2. The "90-Day Probation" Rule (The Kill Zone)

In the Costco Employee Agreement (the "Book"), the first 90 days are your Probation Period.

• During Probation: You can be fired for anything. No union protection. No warnings required.
• After Probation: You are virtually impossible to fire. You join the Teamsters Union (in many locations) and have massive job security.

The "3 Strike" Myth:

Ignore what other seasonal staff tell you. There is no "3 strikes" rule during probation.

• If you are late once, you might be forgiven.
• If you are late twice, you are likely gone.
• If you call in sick on a Saturday during your first 90 days without a doctor's note? Instant termination.

3. How to Make the Cut: The "Street Reality"

Managers don't keep the fastest packers. They keep the people who solve problems.

Here is the checklist to move from "Seasonal" to "Permanent Part-Time (PPT)":

1. The "Open Availability" Test

Costco is obsessed with availability.

• If you say: "I can't work Tuesdays because of soccer practice," you will be cut.
• If you say: "I am available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day," you move to the top of the list.
• Strategy: Lie if you have to (within reason). Clear your schedule for these 90 days. Once you pass probation, you can negotiate.

2. Volunteer for the "Trash" Jobs

Everyone wants to work in Clothing or Electronics.

• The Hack: Ask to work in the Freezer, the Food Court, or Carts (in winter).
• Why? Because nobody wants to work in the -20°C freezer or push carts in the slush. If you volunteer for the jobs the full-timers hate, the manager needs you.

3. The "Zoning" Secret

When the store closes, everyone "zones" (tidies up) the aisles.

• Seasonal Mistake: Chatting with friends while folding clothes slowly.
• Survivor Move: sweating. Moving fast. Creating a perfect "block" of merchandise. Managers watch the closing shift like hawks to see who is actually working.

4. The Loophole: "Student Retention Program" (CSRP)

If you are a college or university student, you have a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. It is called the College Student Retention Program (CSRP).

• What it is: A program that allows you to work seasonally (Summer/Winter) but keep your "employee status" and seniority while you go to school.
• How it works: You work hard during the break. When school starts, you go on "Limited Part Time" or zero hours. You don't quit. You just "pause."
• The Benefit: You keep your raises accumulating. By the time you graduate, you could be at top rate ($30/hr) while your classmates are looking for entry-level jobs.
• Action: Tell your manager now that you want to apply for CSRP. It shows you are thinking long-term.

5. The Signs You Are Being Kept (or Cut)

How do you know if you are safe?

Signs You Are Getting Cut:

• Your hours drop to almost zero in mid-January.
• You are not scheduled for next week.
• The manager avoids eye contact.

Signs You Are Staying:

• You are being cross-trained in other departments (e.g., they send you to the Bakery or Gas Station).
• A manager asks: "Do you have safety boots?" (This means they want you for Merch/Stocking).
• You are scheduled for a "Safety Review" or "Benefits Meeting."

6. What if You Get Cut? (The Re-Hire Strategy)

If the manager calls you into the office and gives you the "seasonal layoff" speech, do not get angry.

Say exactly this:

"Thank you for the opportunity. I really love working here. Please mark me as 'Recommended for Re-Hire.' I will apply again for the Summer season."

Why this works:

Costco prefers to re-hire people who already know the system. Many "Permanent" employees started as seasonals who got cut in January, re-applied in May, and then got kept. It is a marathon, not a sprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a raise after probation?

No.

You get a raise based on Hours Worked (usually every 1,040 hours). Surviving probation just gives you job security and benefits eligibility. The money comes later.

Can I transfer to another warehouse if I get cut?

Generally, No.

If you are let go as a seasonal, you are technically unemployed. You have to apply as a new hire at the other warehouse. However, having a good reference from your first manager helps immensely.

Is it better to work Morning Merch or Front End?

Morning Merch (Stocking) is safer.

• Front End (Cashier Asst): High turnover, stressful, depends on customer flow.
• Merch (4:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Consistent hours, hard physical work. Managers rarely fire good Merch drivers because they are hard to find. (See our Forklift Guide for tips on driving machinery).

Summary: Be the "Yes" Person

To survive the Costco cut, you don't need to be the smartest person in the room. You need to be the most reliable.

1. Show Up: Never be late. Not once.
2. Say Yes: "Can you push carts?" Yes. "Can you clean the bathrooms?" Yes.
3. Think Long Term: Use the Student Retention Program if you can.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur who studies hiring trends, labour market data, and real entry-level opportunities across Canada. He specializes in simplifying the job search for newcomers, students, and workers using practical, up-to-date information.

Sources

• Costco Canada: Career Benefits & Student Retention. https://www.costco.ca/jobs.html
• Teamsters Canada: Warehouse Collective Agreements. https://teamsters.ca/
• Glassdoor: Costco Wholesale Canada Salaries 2026. https://www.glassdoor.ca/

Note

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, warehouse location, and union status. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on 2025-2026 collective agreements and labour market data. Always confirm details directly with your warehouse manager.