A good idea on paper, best for short-term employment - Sales Associate Mud Bay Employee Review

Harbors a Toxic Positivity Culture that encourages neutralization rather than conflict resolution. This encouraged gossiping, and bad blood, as reaching out to upper management resulted in scolding and everyone getting speeches on communication instead of dealing with, or addressing, bad behavior. Customers were encouraged to abuse store policy, and even abuse staff. Upper Management felt disconnected from the retail floor, as decisions were made largely on what may seem more aesthetically pleasing rather than practical- like cleaning supplies and floor signs being hidden away from customer view at the back of the store rather than kept readily available or accessible- or product being hidden away in inappropriate sectors because the table looked nicer there. Practicality is forfeit for aesthetics and money saving.- the Company always valued it's appearance, even if it meant undercutting quality or practicality. Company is stiff with granting stores with money for non-essentials. Cleaning tools were purchased with no long term considerations in mind, and replacements were often of worse quality than the original. Company took storage and display from current stores instead of providing new ones in order to furnish new stores. The Company will keep on bad or actively malicious employees but will act on their zero tolerance policies if any negative act is noticed by upper management. Reasonable, but there was no evidence that write ups fell off records with time and improvement, even for policies that were eliminated during tenure. PTO is encouraged to be used for sick days and will refuse to make accommodations for injury if it means breaking a rule (example, dress code), even with doctor's requests. This lead to many call-outs, which in turn led to premature shutdown of the store due to under-staffing and many unwilling to fill in. Almost Impossible to climb upwards, company more often than not, pulled in new employees instead of promoting- with notable exceptions in the case of favoritism in management. Part time does not gain benefits and they were happy to keep employees there as long as possible. Company hired, and pays, based on the assumption that employees would be living outside of the company's own clientele, and does not compensate for travel (public or private transportation). Some employees spend absurd amounts in travel costs just to get to work. Even at the wage paid, it was not a livable one until several yearly raises in and an upward fight to gain enough hours to be able to afford rent, food, and travel without assistance. I was never able to save money at the rate and was living paycheck to paycheck. Company has goals in growth instead of maintaining current stores. Outdated Retail systems that are frustrating and time consuming for everyone involved. Hilariously little diversity, mostly white. Mostly women? Watched a co-worker get bullied out of working by lack of effort by management, refusal to promote or compensate compared to workload, and intolerant customers feeling free to speak their mind. Retail-typical issues like lack of seating for staff member sand general outdated welfare practices.- who were expected to be on their feet at all times, even during tasks that did not require mobility- such as writing thank you notes, packing treats, and other menial tasks.