Staff meetings that could’ve been an email are a regular occurrence and really boring. When the store isn’t doing well, you’re in for it. Things can get nasty. Upper management were not right in the head (region 7, I’m looking at you). Came out with nonsense and put on pressure for no good reason. Being mystery shopped on compliance, or general customer service is terrifying. You will get disciplinary action if you aren’t 100% perfect. Disciplinary action if you have a bad sales month, made to feel worthless and attend additional training outside of working hours to improve (you’re not always paid, you get the hours back, so a shorter shift follows). These sessions are in no way helpful. You leave with a headache and not much else. Not paid for all the hours you spend travelling if you need to attend an event they put on. Getting holidays approved is a total nightmare! You cannot book December at all, iPhone launch is blocked too. Summer holidays, half terms and Easter breaks are usually hogged by the same staff members every year. It’s retail, so don’t expect to enjoy Xmas, Easter, bank holidays or any national holiday ever again. Don’t expect to progress unless you become a favourite. Favouritism is rife. So is gossip, weird rumours about yourself are almost guaranteed.
