sales associate

logistics manager

customer support representative

Waitrose & Partners

In summary:

-Very poor management
-There are not enough staff
-Many people have left in the last few months due to how awful it is
-Lack of structure or management
-Little support
-Unfriendly colleagues 
-So much is expected for no extra money
-If you don't suck up to management you get nowhere and are open to bullying
-No opportunity for progression

I believe that this company had a great reputation and that this particular store was a wonderful place to work as previously friends of mine had worked there a few years ago. However, as it is now it is an awful place to work at. The company is now only bothered about profits, saving money, and cuts to staff and benefits.

When I first started it seemed to be great. However, rather rapidly it has turned out to be one of the worst places I have ever worked.

Waitrose have taken away the benefit of Sunday and bank holday extra pay off all new starters. But they also decided it was right to take it off all new starters who were on temporary probationary contracts when they were made permenant meaning a loss of money for some of them. Also the bonus is at an all time low a reflection on how poor it's become.

You can be contacted at any time of day via a phone call or even more unprofessionally they will contact you over Facebook. You will constantly be asked to work extra shifts even if you are full time to fill the many gaps due to lots of staff leavingand nobody taking the overtime. If you say no or you can't they will then try to make you feel extremely guilty or ignore you and ruin your rota for the coming weeks as some kind of revenge. Your shifts will be altered and changed around constantly, meaning you have no idea what you are working and you therefore can't have any kind of work life balance as you can't plan anything. 

The senior management at this branch only have their own interests at heart. They will get you to do all the leg work while they then take the credit for any and all your ideas and help, all to seem like they are 'amazing' to the store manager, when it was actually you.

Nearly all the management team are extremely poor at communication and little or nothing is properly communicated between sections, managers, and staff. Everyone has a different answer to the same question.

 Nearly all of the managers have little or no empathy and do not seem to care about problems (health or personal) that staff may have. They will become a 'yes man' telling you everything you want to hear whilst not actually doing anything to help you. 

Due to the complete lack of staff all the managers expect you to carry out 10 different things all at once, and they want all the tasks done in an unrealistic time scale. Do they want the job done properly? Or do they just want a job done quickly to an awful standard?

A higher level manager in this store who is really friendly with a slightly lower level manager, become a pair of bullies and spout nothing but unhelpful and sarcastic comments to staff and other managers who do not play their game. I believe this is utterly appalling behaviour from managers, not a great way to gain any respect or like ability. It just further creates a horrible working environment, and the probabilty they will come and 'pick' on you. 

Overall I think it's a horrible environment to work in, do not work here!

Working for Waitrose is an enriching experience marked by its commitment to quality, service, and community. The supermarket chain's emphasis on employee well-being is evident through various benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Waitrose fosters a supportive work environment where teamwork flourishes, ensuring that staff feel valued and motivated.

One of the standout aspects of working for Waitrose is its dedication to sustainability and ethical sourcing, which aligns with the values of many employees. This commitment adds a sense of purpose to the work, making it more than just a job but a contribution to a greater cause.

Additionally, Waitrose provides comprehensive training programs, allowing employees to develop skills that benefit both their current roles and future career aspirations. The company's emphasis on work-life balance further enhances the overall employee experience.

Overall, working for Waitrose offers a rewarding blend of meaningful work, supportive culture, and opportunities for advancement, making it an excellent choice for those seeking employment in the retail industry.

A typical in Waitrose was very active and packed. Everyday was a busy day due to location and the amount of people that either work or are located around that area. As there are so many tasks, I always had to be on my feet and keeping an eye on how much time I am spending per task. I learnt to be disciplined during work, by being full of energy instead of doing the minimal. I learnt about several different foods and products sold by the company, The management in Waitrose was very structured and organized, as well as strict intolerant.. Very nice individuals who do not tolerate any room for laziness, as this leads to a lack of productivity. The hardest part of the job was offloading the evening deliveries as there is usually so much inventory, which could take up to an hour putting away. The most enjoyable part of the job was going on deliveries in the van to deliver home shopping to customers. It was very exciting as well as important as we had to represent the company in a good light when out on deliveries.

A typical day would start with a briefing from the shift runner or manager, I would be assigned my duties and jobs for that day before starting my shift. Duties would range from stacking shelves, cleaning, rotating stock and serving at till points. The management was good at waitrose in that it was organised, informative and fair. In the waitrose environment there was a diverse environment in terms of different people's backgrounds, this was very valuable as I was able to broaden my outlook on different types of people and my understanding of different religions and ethnic backgrounds was increased. The hardest part about this job was the early morning starts, however I was younger at the time so I feel that waking up early is something that comes easier to me now. The most enjoyable part about the job was working as part of a team and making friends that I still speak to eventhough I stopped working there over 2 years ago.

Waitrose is an amazing place to work, as we are contracted as partners of the business it makes you feel like everything you do on a day to day basis has real impact on your job and the company. 

I've become a better leader, team player and all rounded sales person to the public and other employees. I have grown in confidence and really found my voice when dealing with clients and the public.

My job is made even better by the co-workers around me, I'd say I am very easy to get along with and have great fun with all my team.

The hardest parts of my job is being on the move all day and keeping a happy face for the public, especially when dealing with long hours and difficult situations.

My favourite thing about the job is the variety of activities and being around my co-workers who help make everything run smoothly and add fun to the day.

I worked at Waitrose when I was in high school, and it was a perfect job for my circumstances. The hours fitted in with school and with my homework and I still had time to keep playing sport. If I wanted extra hours, they were often available, with extra pay around holidays. This was beneficial as I could work a lot during my school holidays to save up money. The management was very good, as well as very friendly. There were a lot of out of work activities to participate in, such as theatre trips and summer parties. The people I worked with were very friendly too, and always made you feel welcome and part of the group. Overall, it was a very good environment for a student, with an effective management team. I enjoyed my two years at the company and made some good friends while I was there.

Dress in familiar uniform which identifies each department from the next. 
Numerous roles available but my favourite is assisting customers and staff with any problems. Learning is appropriate to the role and training is always available when required.
Management are equal as they assist on the store floor as well as their own specific roles.
Co workers are cheerful and happy, with a few grumpy moments but hey. They will assist customers as well as other staff. Friendly and welcoming. 
Delivery time when stock needs to be unloaded and stored in correct areas. 
Meeting all types of people, being able to chat and smile and also make their visit a good experience.

An exceptional and Quality product producing retail company with exceptional customer service,a typical day at work is the December season that is the most busy period,where customers needs have to be met at all cost,i leaned to manage time and meeting multiple customer demands and provide customer satisfaction,the co-workers are the best part of the job,they are family,welcoming,supportive fun and outgoing individuals.we turn the hardest part of our job to be a challenge and as an opportunity to learn.

I work in a little waitrose so note that my experience may be slightly different to those who work at a larger store. In the smaller stores you are expected to learn and do everything from tills, to replenishment, to operations, to audit, to cleaning. You get the littlest break during such a demanding shift it just isn't fair. The only positive aspects of working here are the people and the discount you get for john lewis - though I would argue that at times it feels like the discount isn't that good either. 

The culture there was terrible and while the companies core values allegedly include employee satisfaction its not reflected in store operations at all. I was surrounded by a team of wonderful to mediocre team members that were more than adequate but management that were  all braindead morons enforcing company policies as it suited them and generally making staff miserable. Several employees told me about issues with managers which I passed upward which were consistently pushed under the rug. All the managers are just there to get a pay check, do the bare minimum and flex what tiny authority they have.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Sales associate 11 salaries reported	$63,000 per year
Logistics manager 1 salary reported	$39,627 per year
Customer support representative 1 salary reported	$3,000 per month

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