-Culture actively tries to convince you in thinking "this is the best it'll ever get for retail." Incorrect. There are, indeed, better options out there. They are just trying to make you complacent and make you not disagree with their managerial decisions. Benefits offered are average, not the "amazing" status that many will try to convince you is true.
-Nepotism is rampant within management, with friends of the general manager given managerial authority and pay but without the title or position responsibilities. Fraternization among managers and employees is ignored or not investigated.
-Abuses from both management and customers. Managers routinely throw employees under the bus in front of customers for the sake of a sale. Managers also routinely do not follow company policy for the sake of a sale. I have been cursed at, insulted, and at times threatened, and management did nothing to help me, even when I requested it and expressed my concern. Managers resort to petty favoritism.
-Managers instructed employees at my store to lie to customers. We were instructed not to pay for specific items, those of which we would still try and sell, while telling the customers that we were indeed paying on everything.
-Communication and transparency is severely lacking. Information given in meetings will change from meeting to meeting, even when given by the same manager. Certain employees will be given specific information before others. Some employees will not be given information at all. Communication and information between managers is inconsistent, at times even contradictory, resulting in mass confusion and dysfunction of company procedures.
- Drama is rampant among the employees, oftentimes resulting in "social punishment" if one does not devote their entire social life to the company. Squabbles are highly unprofessional and not dealt with actively or efficiently: reminiscent of high school.
-There is no life/work balance. Scheduling is inflexible, unreliable, and succumbs to favoritism (see above statements). Vacations, no matter how early in advance they are requested, are not guaranteed and approval or denial status is not communicated to the employee in a timely manner. Taking other, part-time jobs or volunteer opportunities are met with hostility and disapproval from management.
-There is very little room for advancement. When available, it is subject to managerial favoritism and not based on employee qualifications or merit.
-Raises/Compensation is well below average. Initial pay may be higher than minimum wage, but subsequent raises do not even cover inflation, even if the maximum raise is given. Maximum raise percentages are based on "internal algorithms" and comparisons to other retailers, thus are inconsistent year to year. The reviews given are merely ways in which the company rationalizes not giving you the full raise percentages and not actually helpful or reflective of personal performance.
