Quality Control Inspector | Portland, OR | Mar 10, 2019
Portland Fulfillment Center Less Than Fulfilling
I took a job at the Portland fulfillment center right out of high school in 08 and was hired PART TIME. The job is extremely fast paced and stressful for a couple of reasons, however at the time pay was very competitive in the market.
-PART TIME equated to 40+ hour work weeks with no full time benefits whatsoever. My manager at the time had the audacity to ask me if I even wanted my job after I was always volunteering my hours to be cut on slow days. Listen here lady, I wanted part time for a reason and was overworked pushing 50+ hours a week in peak seasons because managers are too good to step in and help pickers. I had a life outside of Staples and when I was ACTUALLY part time, it worked out really well. My life soon became nothing but eat, sleep and staples which is not condusive to a healthy work-home lifestyle.
I was too new to the job world to realize just how much abuse someone should and should not be taken when employed. These people pushed it.
-LACK OF ADEQUATE, CARING LEADERSHIP made days long and even more stressful. Always being pushed to move faster and do more when there's an absolute threshold for how much your own machinery will take before you've overloaded the system. Your machines will hold approx 800 boxes before shutting down? Okay, maybe keep remembering that when you now have 900+ and bark at your pickers to pick faster because you need to put more boxes on the line and the cut off time for your freight trucks are quickly approaching. It's
ProsPay, stock options
ConsShort breaks, lack of management care, micromagement, no job security
Toxic, anxiety induced and a negative company culture!
A typical workday is being micromanaged by insecure, inadequate, and unqualified managers who are only there to carry out useless strategies to make the company a lot of money meanwhile making every effort to pay you as little as possible. They pick these managers because they can pay them as low as possible because most likely they did not have the minimum education to lead a team.They just need a stooge to carry out directives that won't complain. However, they have the favoritism of upper management that led them to be chosen. Constantly being bombarded with useless and ineffective meetings is nerve-racking.
This is a very high stress, monotonous, soul and creativity-draining job. Management is not emotionally equipped to manage taking gum out of a wrapper but, will do everything possible to avoid supporting you. Nepotism and favoritism are the norm and microaggressions are the status quo. The whole faux support of diversity is insulting and reeks of gaslighting. They pay the lowest in the industry and that is if they do not figure out a way to "adjust" your CVO and your commission. Meanwhile, the performance reviews that they picked apart will ensure that they will rate you as low as possible to avoid paying you that extra 14 cents per hour. Pay is not on par with the cost of living and struggling financially to live while working at Staples is real. If you are a single person with no spouse, no responsilibilties or children, you could possibly be okay with a meager liv
ProsFree office supplies, no approval Health insurance, Great Dental, Eye, Free coffee in office and clean restrooms.
ConsOffice politics on steroids, high insurance deductible, lack of investment in employees, no education reimbursement, extreme micromanagement, micro aggressions from managers and colleagues, nepotism, inconsistency, and very low pay!
3.0
Copy Center Associate | Concord, CA | Aug 10, 2020
Really depends on the particular management team, but the company itself...
I worked at Staples for 2 years. When I started, I had a pretty good management team that started becoming better and better. Despite this, they have rather annoying selling quotas for minimum wage work. Sales managers are in charge of keeping those numbers strong, and at the locations I worked at, they often had employees track their insurance add-ons and rewards sign ups on a piece of paper. They used to push us into selling credit cards, while doing a terrible job of explaining that, but they've stopped pushing for that as much. And when I say a terrible job, I mean I didn't even realize I was selling a credit card!
They give you training on a computer for about 3 days but they try to teach you the real important stuff later on, so the computer training isn't great.
I got transferred to the copy and print center after about a year. I got paid fairly in my home town, as they raised my wages by about 75 cents per hour. But when I transferred to another store, which struggled in a rural area, I worked the copy print center exclusively- for straight minimum wage. The min wage went up while I was working there, so when my manager failed to add back the 75 cent raise I'd earned, I promptly left that store. I transferred back to my hometown where I got my raise but the management team was a shell of what it once was, so I didn't stay long.
They do offer some coverage options to part time workers, I had dental coverage for about 5 dollars out of every paycheck. But I never used
ProsInsurance options for part time employees, different departments available for promotions
The Staples store located in Buford, Georgia is a strange one. It is often the guinea pig for the company's trials and experiments, while also being a high-volume store that generates a lot of revenue. Because it is technically retail, a lot of younger people are hired throughout the year as they need temporary jobs while in high school, college, or in-between jobs. There are some long-term employees (reading 10-15 years!), but most of the associates are younger than 30.
There are three main sections: copy & print center, easy tech, and office supplies. Copy & print creates... copies and prints for customers. Brochures, documents, posters, pictures, etc. are created daily. It is one of the most stressful sections of the store because of how many orders they get and how fast they have to finish them with the lack manpower and machinery to do it efficiently. Office supplies consists of selling furniture and supplies for offices and schools. The hardest part of their job is helping customers that do not know what they are looking for and doing freight throughout the day while helping customers.
As an employee that works in the easy tech section, there is a lot to say about it. Easy tech has two main jobs: to fix and sell computers and other electronic devices. I am the main tech, so I spend most of my part-time hours fixing hardware and software related issues with computers. I also try to help customers find what printers, computers, tablets, or other electronics they ne
If you are a beginner, this is not the place to start working.
Working at Staples requires years of retail experience.
*Unloading trucks
*Operating Pallet Jacks
*Lift at least 40lbs or more
*Work in a fast-paced environment
*Properly stocking shelves
*Answer phones/radio equipment
*Work under pressure for reaching sales goals
*Cash customers out at a decent pace
The issue I have with Staples is that you get paid close to minimum wage, regardless of experience; unless you work in management. As a dedicated sales associate with Staples for 5 years, I only get paid $9.40 an hour and my manager said I cannot get a raise higher than that for the rest of my career unless I move to management.
This may vary among stores, but management is poor at my store, specifically by the Store Manager. The General Managers seem to be in more control than the store manager. My manager is not very friendly and tends to belittle every worker as if it's their first day on the job (no matter how long of experience). I also do not get feedback from the store manager on how we're doing, therefore every day I work, I feel I do not meet expectations from the store manager.
These days, a lot of retail associates are lazy and often call out. This was the case at my Staples, so be prepared to be short-staffed often. Management rarely attempts to call someone in for backup in case a particular person calls out.
This job is high maintenance, especially during Back to School Season
ProsAccommodating to secondary job schedules, days off
ConsLow Pay, Quick-Paced, Short Breaks, Poor Management, Short-Staffed
Good Entry level, seasoned reps run don't walk....
I have been in outside sales for 14 years. I took the position with Staples Advantage because my other company was not growing but, losing year after year (bad management, and poor position in the advertising arena)
Staples Way, training is a complete joke. You sit in classroom with trainers that really teach you nothing about the company or product and teach the 1970"s Feel, Felt, Found. It was brutal. The worst part of the training you are made to share a hotel room with a complete stranger for the entire time you are there. Isn't this an HR, nightmare?
When you get back to your territory you have little to no support unless it's a mandatory team role play or a company training on product which I found beneficial.
When you travel again you will be made to share a hotel room, to save $70.00 for the company. I have never in my career been made to do this. If you make waves about it, you will be called in and raked over the coals, of why it is a big deal to you. So you spend entire 48 hours with a co-worker, that might snore, have bad hygiene.etc. A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE!!
Let's get to the commission: WORST PAYOUT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. You will get a subsidy for one year that is a sliding scale, after that you make nothing. So, for the first year you will make the most money. Your subsidy starts out at 1,000 for the first 3 months and goes down from there. The commissions are based on margin. You will find when you get out in the field it is all about cost in winning your acco
It is easy enough to get a job. Say you can do what you are told. Wait through three days of training videos. The worst interviewer for the company will actively try to intimidate you. The best response is to laugh at his ridiculousness. He made a few people cry. I'm not convinced it is ethical. He says things like "this is a hard job," and "I don't think you can handle it."
Life balance? HA! There is no balance. For such a low pay job an intense manager will try to bully and manipulate you into putting effort into tasks they have purposely over-inflated. Everything will take fifteen minutes. I can think of several days where the fifteen minute job took me all day if not two days. A project that would take eventually take a week would surprise the manager each time it wasn't done. All four managers could be surprised a project isn't done, twice a peace. I'm surprised it doesn't dawn on them that they are incompetent.
There is also a trick they do that I am sure isn't legal. In an eight hour shift a person should have three breaks. Two fifteen minutes and a lunch. There is a trick where the manager will hold off or forget about breaks until four or five hours into the shift. Then, they will tell people to go on the half hours and give them no other breaks. If you ask for a break, they'll ask "do you think you deserve it?"
There is a common practice with holding employees for an hour or two after work. I stayed after four days in a row to "finish" things five days in
ProsThey have been flexible with time off, Replaceable you could work anywhere--move to a new city
This company does not treat its employees correct. They get walked on by customers to avoid complaints. Get yelled at for numbers when they are set to high to meet. Get overworked and told to do other peoples jobs. NOT PAID ENOUGH. Staples needs to pay their people for they actually do. Management visits the stores and does nothing when they know things are wrong. The only reason I am working here for so long is that I do not want to put more stress on my coworkers. My coworkers are the only enjoyable part of the job. We all work for the horrible company together and I do not want to leave them stranded. For the copy center department, you get no training hours to learn or teach new employees. You pretty much have to figure it out on your own. Meaning you have to get everything done before you leave if you know what you're doing because it can not be left for other people. But the thing is you can not go over hours for the week because they can not pay overtime. Copy center department is very stressful. Never enough staff to help the number of customers. You have to be able to multitask because you have to do everything without getting complaints, get all the customers print jobs done, help customers fax and scan, and take in print jobs. The company is also making the printing department call the customers a minimum of 4 hours out of the week to ask how their printing orders went. So that's 4 hours off the floor. They are making us be telemarketers, but no extra pay is added.
ProsNONE
ConsEVERYTHING: yelled at all the time, no breaks, horrible pay, no guidance, bad management, understaffed!!!
Overall a fun place to work and challenging at times.
When I first started working at Staples my typical day at work would to clock in and then go straight to a cash register. I would greet customers as they walked into the door and answer questions if they had any. I would sometimes handle returns. When the cash register would need to be balanced I would call a manager to help me with it. What my job would be to do is count the money and sign a paper saying I counted it all correctly. Then at the end of my shift because I worked the afternoon until close, I would clean the bathrooms and all the counters. Also I would help with other departments if they needed it. When I got promoted to be a sales associate, I would greet the customers as they came in. I would answer any questions they may have and direct them into the right direction for their items. I then would go into the back room and grab a dolly with merchandise on it and unload it on the shelves. While I unload the boxes I would also make sure every shelf was neat. I also put away returns. As a sales associate I was able to sell furniture to customers.
I learned a lot of useful things while working at Staples. I learned selling techniques, how to provide customers with the perfect customer service and I also learned a lot about myself. I learned that I am a hard worker. I also learned about myself that I am a determined worker and I work hard to get all my tasks done. I learned how to multitask and how to count money. I learned how to work a cash register. The reason
ProsThe co-workers and customers I worked with.
ConsWhen I went on break, I would have to come back early.
I've worked here for two years and it wasn't all that bad throughout those two years.
During my first year and approximately 9 months the job was good. Management had its quirks, but for the most part they were just fine. My co-workers were great and it felt like we were a tight team. While turnover was high like any other retail job there was a nice core that had built up.
From that point on things started to go downhill. Management changed hands. As I said the previous management team had its quirks, but they were there for their employees. This new group of managers is not.
It was said that the new GM was there for employees and while there are somethings that this GM does that are geared towards employees it is very superficial.
There have been employees that have been fired over petty issues that aren't related to work performance. Most disturbing of all is that these firings were aimed solely at employees from previous regimes. All the mean while these things also occur with newer employees and they go unchecked.
The core that had built up slowly corroded due to issues with management. Whoever is left over from the previous regime is practically carrying the whole store because many (not all) of the newer employees are of questionable competence. One such new hire was in a high position and used that leverage to commit a major crime while at the store. More cliques have formed than before.
The main reason that I gave management two stars is becaus
ProsGood benefits even for part timers, flexible work schedule for the most part, direct managers treat employees well for the most part
ConsDeclining store culture, employees first sentiment is mostly empty, upper level of management is bad, unrealistic expectations at times
Belle ambiance entre employés mais des superieurs qui mettent la pression sur la vente et vendeurs exagérateurs
Au niveau ambiance de travail c'est très bien, les employés son souriant et sympathique. Cependant quand on en vient à la vente et les heures de travail, c'est là que tout le charme s'éteint.
Au niveau des heures je n'ai pas trop de problème à avoir 30 heures et plus, cependant là où est le problème est la pause. Pour moi les pauses sont utiles pour le repos et permettre de se déstresser. Avoir sa pause diner, pas de problème les supérieures se sentent obligés de la donner, d'ailleurs c'est seulement un 30 min je trouve ça court mais c'est plus un avis personnel. L’autre souci provient aux pauses de 15 minutes, ayant en général des journées complètes, j’ai droit à 2 pauses. Les superviseurs ne sont jamais capables de te les donner, ils cherchent toujours des excuses pour ne pas te les laisser prendre, même si nous sommes 2 ou 3 vendeurs présents sur le plancher.
En ce qui concerne la vente, qui d'ailleurs il affiche un papier des résultats des ventes de tous les vendeurs, les superviseurs mettent la pression sur les vendeurs les moins performants et ce même si on n’est pas à la commission. Ils donnent de bons conseils au début ce qui est très bien pour améliorer nos ventes, mais à chaque fois que vous allez effectuer une vente à 1 (exemple juste un ordi sans rien d'autre) ils vont être mécontents, et vous demandent d'essayer de reconvaincre le client en lui parlant du plan de service et de la configuration, alors que vous l'avez déjà fait...pour moi c'est presque du har
ProsCollègues sympathiques et souriants
Conspression de vente, pause difficile à recevoir, mensonges aux clients, certains services très coûteux qui ne sont pas nécessairement difficiles à faire par soi même
Questions And Answers about Staples
What is the best part of working at Staples?
Asked Nov 24, 2019
Flexible hours, good retail experience
Answered May 25, 2022
The discount
Answered May 25, 2022
If you were in charge, what would you do to make Staples a better place to work?
Asked Jan 16, 2018
Staples of Port Jefferson NY Trusted AP for Ups pick up and drop off. Knowledgable services. Helpful and patient to any questions. Easy and fast. Safely working due to next strain of coronavirus. An excellent way to ship and pick up -- love this location Apple phone in the hands of great trusted AP
Answered Jul 4, 2021
Hours per week depend on sales. If we don’t have enough people on the floor, we can’t make good sales. Staples is shooting themselves in the foot.
Answered Feb 17, 2021
Does Staples drug test their employees?
Asked Aug 31, 2016
No I never was drug tested however they need to because some employees will come to work high or under the influence of some drugs or possibly alcohol.
Answered Dec 18, 2018
Oregon does a 10 panel drug test at an outside facility. Auburn WA does a cheek swab.
Answered Dec 15, 2018
How are the working hours at Staples?
Asked Jun 13, 2016
During holidays and Back To School, if you’re part time, expect your hours to go between 25-34 hours weekly, but after those times, expect them to drop between 14-20.
Answered Aug 16, 2019
The employees, have to work extreme over time that's illegal and they are not treated with respect.
Answered Aug 1, 2019
How old do you have to be to work with staples?
Asked Jun 6, 2016
You can be 16 to work, but all you can do is load the bailer. To operate the bailer you have to be 18, so I recommend 18+
