No work life balance to accomplish everything - Store Manager Michaels Employee Review

2.0
Jul 24, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great employee discount. An exceptional work staff at the store. Good health plans and 401K

Cons

I had 10 years with Michaels and poor communication from cooperate down was the worst. Many times rolling out new programs before we have all the information. They will start so many new programs and initiatives at the same time and then wonder why they aren't working or why they were not executed correctly. Many of these were just quickly thought up to try and generate more business within the stores. Some times less is more and learning that less well can help you see the numbers you seek. Payroll - there is none. Many people who do not get paid nearly what they should are asked to do the work of 2 to 3 people. You see the value and knowledge that people you interview or currently work for you have but your hands are tied to a pay scale that is below the industry standard. Turn over is huge because of this and the lack of hours. Completely understandable. You hire someone PT with open availability and a month later they come back to you with very limited availability because they got a second job at more pay/hours and now you get the scraps and are forced to hire another. Michaels is a great place to work (non-management) for those that don't need to rely on a steady income and want REALLY pt. For managers you will be asked to do a lot which is expected of a manager but Michaels can take it to a whole new level. There is no payroll for training ( you will need to cut it from somewhere else), BOPIS (buy on line pick up in store orders), daily ad sets (Sunday sets are the only ones funded) and many times under funded for major resets within the store. You need to be very organized and a planner if you are not you will sink very quickly. Much of your time is spent in the office planning all the tasks for the week ahead and for the day after your store walk, sorting/printing ad signs for the next week and for the multiple ones that come up daily (sometimes just a few sometimes over 60), writing a schedule and somehow trying to get full store coverage on barely there payroll, POG planning, new /initiative planning, looking at your Rewards percentages and who you will need to conversations with, looking at your VOC comments/numbers. All these tasks are fine and expected with the job but very difficult to get done in a decent time frame when back-up cashier, completing BOPIS and SFS orders and taking care of customers because your staff is already spread then. The higher ups that be all say "they understand" and they promote work/life balance but it is always followed up with here is a new program/reset and here is a list of last minute to do's to try and get more sales so the roll up is due by end of day today to show you have it done.

Explore other reviews about Michaels

5.0
Jun 18, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits and the people there.

Cons

It was far away from me.

2.0
Jun 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some great co-workers, employee discount, on site office benefits including a gym and cafe for breakfast/lunch, full suite of employee benefits at reasonable prices

Cons

Ridiculous amount of stress. Retail in general is often stressful but the amount of stress at Michaels is unnecessary and over the top. Constant last-minute changes by leadership to creative, promotions, products, and any other kind of changes. Things will be finalized and signed off on and delivered, and somebody will make a change at the last minute and things are constantly having to be redone. People are worn down and worn out. It’s the highest turnover rate of any place I’ve worked in retail at the corporate office. I’ve seen people take jobs and be gone within weeks. Leadership in some departments are extremely micromanaging and controlling even with employees that are tenured and have multiple years of experience. The stress level for both tenured and new employees is very high. Projects get discussed over and over and over again, decisions are made and then revisited again after decisions were made making delivery late and causing people to work unnecessarily in order to fix things that could’ve been done correctly the first time. The company tries really hard to make the workplace fun and offer activities, motivation, and incentives. Unfortunately they don’t offset what the environment is like working inside with some of the teams and expectations to actually deliver the work. Would not recommend.

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