packer

customer service representative

order picker

distribution clerk

sales clerk

The Vermont Country Store

In the summer of 2011, I had left my part-time job to take on a full-time position at the Vermont Country Store. Things were fine for the first month or 2, but after running into some problems at home with sick family members, expensive vehicle repairs, and a personal injury, the Vermont Country Store began to show their true colors. My hours were cut from 40 per week, down to 28. Management had my desk moved to the far corner of the room, separating me from the rest of my co-workers, and even went as far as increasing my telephones' priority queue (Which results in 90% of calls coming through my phone while co-workers would receive very few.)

When questioning management about these changes I was met with extreme hostility and ultimately terminated from the position in December of 2011, 2 weeks before Christmas. The Vermont Country Store prided itself with being a "family-first" kind of business, but when those ideals would actually be called upon, this was not the case at all.

I have worked here for years now. The management is confusing. Once you learn multiple tasks, be prepared to be switched from one to another and back again. And then receive a warning about your efficiencies not being high enough.  If your sick for more than 3 days you need to see a doctor, then you need to see one again to get a letter saying you can return to work and also go through the aggravating process of FMLA. Some co-workers are good, others not so much. They claim they want accuracy but they hire new people that are fast, doesn't matter that most of their orders go out incomplete or wrong. There is always excuses as to why your not getting paid what you deserve for your work. And there's always excuses as to why you have to work with malfunctioning equipment.  They are decent with the scheduling issues. I continue to work there simply cause I settled.

Worked in the Weston store and ended up getting sick after mandatory overtime started in 2021. As the pandemic was still going on I followed company policy and went to get a covid test and was out for about 2 weeks while my results came back and until I was feeling better. After I got the all clear to return to work from the doctor's office I contacted the manager and asked for an update on when I would be put back on the schedule. I received no communication from anyone I tried to speak to at the store for 2 weeks. At that point I was already looking for a new job as I knew I had been dismissed by their lack of communication. It wasn't until I attempted to apply for unemployment that I found out that they had put my dismissal as failure to return to work, I would have gladly returned had they answered any of my emails or calls asking when I could come back. This company says they treat their staff like family which is true until they no longer need you. 

The favoritism here is rediculous. A few people do a majority of the hard physical work while the "management" watches from behind thier desks. Everyone talks badly about everyone else, there is a huge ammount of gossip, the management is all having affairs with eachother and there are predatory managers that get reported to h.r. and then promoted. Working hard doesn't not get you anywhere here. To climb the ranks at this company you must be suck up to the right people or you are the bottom of the barrel. It's similar to being back in high school at a popularity contest. The pay is horrible for back breaking work. They have 65+ year old workers and people with disabilities on thier feet for over 6 hours straight with one 10 minute break. The training has majorly gone down hill within the past year. There is a complete lack of respect in the workplace and they promote horrible individuals to be in charge.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Even though I work at home there is always help if needed.  Questions are welcomed and answered.  The climate at VCS is pleasant.


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
In the past it was the unrelenting number of calls to be answered as quickly as you are able to.  I would now say it is the complexity of the system used to take customer orders by the year-round (full time).

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Pleasant and helpful with an emphasis on staying healthy.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I log onto the computer, answer calls, attend evaluation/coaching meetings.  Breaks and lunch are a given.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The managers and other workers are very kind. Employees get great discounts on store merchandise. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Certain times of the year, such as Foliage season and Christmas can be extremely busy.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very friendly and professional. The store provides a quaint, folksy atmosphere. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Arrive from an hour to a half hour before the store opens. Straighten and restock. Cashiers spend the day at the register, with two breaks and a half hour for lunch. Final half hour restocking the store.

I am currently a seasonal Telemarketing Service Rep (TSR) working through the busy 2014 holiday season (hoping to be hired as core employee after season ends) because I love this job so much!

The only reasons to work here is that you can work remotely and the customers are usually nice. Co-workers are nice, team leaders are nice, management and HR are NOT.

The company hires only part-time for entry customer service positions. Managers refuse to acknowledge the overall demand for higher wages, even during team meetings where such demands are brought up. HR will find a reason to get rid of you as soon as the busy season if over, even if you're not a seasonal employee and not give you a fair chance to show improvement for mistakes, going so far as to lie about previous meetings held with team leaders.

The favoritism is ridiculous and takes its toll on those who are there to work, and not conform to a popularity contest. The pay is horrific, the work is physically draining. There is absolutely no recognition for working your butt off while the supervisors and the shift coordinators under their desks just watch you. I couldn't say enough bad things about this company, and it's sad because the products are excellent and the owners are plenty friendly and appreciative.
sadly, the only way you can get ahead is who you know and how well you know them

The people are friendly and helpful and mostly great. It really is a family environment. Management is understanding and flexible whenever possible and will help you work around personal obligations. The Ortons truly value their employees and are serious about taking care of them. 

Unfortunately, VCS management lacks the skills to identify, train, and promote their own people. If you have skills, knowledge, or interests that are outside your job description you will have to beg and push for advancement. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Packer 1 salary reported	$17.23 per hour
Customer service representative 2 salaries reported	$15.87 per hour
Order picker 1 salary reported	$17.23 per hour
Distribution clerk 6 salaries reported	$16.80 per hour
Sales clerk 5 salaries reported	$15.00 per hour

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