Sephora at Kohl’s

I left this position due to the toxic negative environment provided by our Managers and team leads. They pick and choose which rules to follow depending on the person. For example, team leader was allowed to return/exchange products that they would be keeping during employee discount but when others tried they were denied and scolded. The Khols team does not like the sephora workers and constantly start drama with them. Unrealistic expectations, example requiring Credit Card Goals to be met in Sephora FOR khols. No one shopping at sephora wants a khols credit card UNLESS they can use it in the beauty store. Which is not the case. I asked for corporate/complaint department and a number not related to that department was given to me. The store is way too hot and higher up are extremely disrespectful. Managers and team leads are constantly taking vacation or off days while the floor struggles with the lack of employee's in store and only ONE sephora BA in store WITH a list of TO-DO requirements. How can that be done with no extra Khols employees and one sephora employee??? it can’t , so things don’t get done and complaints are made to the team for incompetence. When corporate comes in for check ins, our managers get nervous and i’m sure it has to do with the fact that if ONE person speaks up about the absolute worst management their be some acknowledgment to the wrong doings. Most of the opening team has decided to leave the store due to this environment, I think that says a lot. They don’t have a professional way of communicating and there is no team. I would highly recommend looking elsewhere for a start in the beauty community.

Working at Kohl's, particularly in the Sephora section, can feel a bit imbalanced. While the concept of having a Sephora inside a Kohl’s store is appealing, the execution has its challenges. The Sephora section is often understocked, making it difficult to provide customers with the variety they expect from a full Sephora store. This can lead to frustration, both for employees and customers, when products aren't available.

From a management perspective, it sometimes feels like the emphasis is more on Kohl's operations as a whole, rather than giving the Sephora section the attention it needs. Staffing and training specifically for Sephora’s beauty products can be lacking, leading to a disconnect in the specialized customer service that Sephora customers typically expect.

On the positive side, the work environment at Kohl's is generally supportive, with friendly coworkers and a collaborative atmosphere. However, the crossover between Kohl’s general retail operations and the Sephora department can create logistical issues, and it sometimes feels like the Sephora section is treated as an afterthought in the broader Kohl’s management structure. 

Overall, while the idea of combining Kohl’s and Sephora is innovative, the execution needs improvement to create a more cohesive experience for both employees and shoppers. There’s potential, but it requires more investment in staffing, training, and inventory to fully realize the benefits of having a Sephora within Kohl’s.

I got along really well with the people in my store, and was especially close with those on the beauty team. The customers can be very rude, though, especially compared to the way they treat you as a regular Kohl's employee. In the Sephora, customers are a lot more rude and treat you as if you are their personal assistant without regarding you as a person. 

It gets a bit boring when it's slow, but there are usually tasks to keep you busy. The training product was a wonderful plus of working there. Managers will tell you about goals, and motivate everyone to increase their goals, but not to the extent where it felt like you weren't treated as a person. There are not very many opportunities to get promoted as a Sephora at Kohl's employee, due to the teams being around 6 people per store, with only 2 full-time positions available. However, I did get an annual raise from working at the store. 

I felt like some hygiene practices weren't enacted as strictly as they should have been. 

i was often scheduled to work alone without backup and kohl’s employees have to cover our breaks, i learned that everyone is replaceable in this company they don’t appreciate the fact i worked very hard of to get people to sign up and other things. i was terminated over a phone call for a one time mistake. this work environment is beyond stressful they expect you to do 3/4 things at once at all times.we’ve been short staffed since the holidays and they expect us to do everything like usual. they constantly change the schedule on short notice i never worked in a company that was so unprofessional towards the team. when management couldn’t finish their duties they would ask us beauty advisors to step in and help just to get a „this isn’t done right“ reaction talking behind the back of beauty advisors instead of talking to the person that made the mistake directly.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The flexibility of scheduling while in school was really amazing and the people I did work with kept the job fun which was nice

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The turn over rate of employees was a lot since I would either have to pick up hours or train new people which can be a lot when working

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
There can be some workplace drama, but as long as you stay out of it, which is easy to do, you’ll have a great experience overall.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Just clock in, grab your items you need, go to your designated area, work with customers, get your breaks, and return any work items and clock out when you’re done. It’s honestly a really smooth process when you get the hang of it.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Building a relationship with customers and making them leave with a smile, confidence, and wanting to see you specifically each time they come back. Making that connection. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The way you feel like you are below the management as a person and not knowing how they will treat you day to day.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Some days are great and you are feeling welcomed, which is the days you are busy and working with the community. If it is slower, management has the opportunity to treat you how they want since nobody is around. Some days good, some days bad.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Each day changes. No day is the same.

Worked here for a little while, and during my time with the company I was not trained for my specific role beyond what computer training I did. My trainers never showed up as we had to pull from other stores, and it almost feels like Kohl’s doesn’t even want Sephora at this location to begin with. We were set up to fail. Shoplifting is high at this location, due to always being understaffed. Unfortunately being a smaller format Sephora @ Kohl’s, you’ll be staffed alone and if it gets busy…good luck. The expectations are far too high for any of the Sephora associates to reach, including Leads. I’d try to get into a stand-alone Sephora if you’re passionate about Sephora tbh.

What is the best part of working at the company?
It was more of a stocking job than the cosmetic industry job.Dealing with kids that are rude and entitled was above the pay rate 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The days we got stock,we had to scan every item,put it away while customers needed to be waited on All cleaning of the store( Sephora)  was expected if us but,not everyone did their part.Every foundation bottle,shelves,lipsticks,had to be sanitized once a week,then kids came in and smeared and destroyed testers

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I don't work there anymore!Found a better job

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Most employees were 19,stand around,talking,laughing,while others did all the dirty wirk

What is the best part of working at the company?
You do get a special bond with the people that you work with and the customers I worked at Kohl’s for a very long time, but there was no way to go up to advance my career

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
You don’t get very much training

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Can be a lot of fun and they don’t judge part is you don’t get a lot of training

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Customer service the most I was ahead of customer service. If you needed a manager, they would come right away. They would listen to you first before approaching the customers. most of the managers would

The lead was always on top of you. They would take notes on everything you did and make sure to find something you did to get you in trouble. Managers want you to drop everything to go to work when they call you. They won't leave you alone on your break and call you nonstop on the walkie and sometimes even the store speakers. God forbid you express your stress because they will shame you for it. Having to deal with children destroy cosmetics and steal was like a daycare. The pay was barely enough since they would cut your hours all of a sudden. You were constantly pushed to sign people for the loyalty programs and they would get bothered if you didn't reach their numbers.

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