1. Thrive web system/app is garbage to navigate and use for training.
2. Questionable hire at times. Some coworkers and supervisors are borderline psychotic/mentally unwell. I had seen too many cases of coworkers and supervisors having a public meltdown in front of the customers.
3. Too much emphasis on getting customers to register or use an account. The manager will threaten you with a disciplinary action if you get too many anonymous customers. Toolstation management can't seem to comprehend basic consent and will push you to convince customers to register an account in order to purchase.
4. Discouraged or reprimanded from sitting down during work. Sometimes you'll get told off even you're just writing up deliveries.
5. Severely understaffed. Employees should be given bonuses for doing 12 hour shifts to cover a sick or absent staff. I suffered from episodic knee pain from doing multiple 12 hour shift - 2-3 times a week, which never recovered even after rehab. At one point I was working 52+ hours per week.
6. Unmanageable Workloads During Peak Seasons. Usually near the end of the year when contractors are rushing to get their jobs done. There are only 2 staff on duty in the morning. 3 during the midday and 2 in the evenings (goes back to the issue of the store being understaffed).
7. The customers are horrible to deal with. Some are abusive, verbally and physically. Thefts from the usual suspects are plenty which are unadressed.
8. Carewashing is very obvious and real in this company. Don't expect to get any kind of wellbeing help from top level. My concerns was brushed away by management. I was their top performing staff and they didn't even care.
9. Employees are expected to take on cleaning responsibilities, including toilets, in addition to their primary job duties
10. Rotas are always released late.
11. I wanted to be a full time staff but was declined. The store didn't have the budget. During slow months it was hard to get by financially with a 20 hr contract especially in London.
12. No career prospect. I've seen my supervisors go above and beyond and are still left being in the same role and wage for 6 years. If you are young and have some sort of education or uni degree. Don't be suckered into staying for more than 2-3 years. There is no future for you here.
