Pros
I have worked for Michaels for 4 years and can honestly say this used to be a great place to work. Then Blackstone Corp took over and now I can't find a single good thing to say about the company.
Cons
Michaels motto is "Where Creativity Happens"... but not if you're an employee. You can not make your department look nice. You can't make any displays on your own accord... you have to do what the company tells you... even though your store may not carry the product! You are a drone. You have to put out money to buy the proper pants, shoes and belt. Rules change from week to week. You will be docked "points" if you are early, late, have a doctor's appt., have a sick kid, or are sick yourself.... even though you have sick leave available! If you get 6 points, you are fired. Then they expect you to smile, be pleasant, and say hi to every customer, even though they have made it so miserable that no one cares. Corporate visits are a joke. The managers get very tense and stressed... that alone makes it miserable. Then you are expected to work whatever hours it takes to make the store "look like no one shops here." That is a direct quote from our district manager!! Really?!?!? Who the hell do you think makes your money? The shoppers!! It is impossible to keep a store that size in impeccable condition. But those are the expectations. Oh, and you can be sure that you won't be financially compensated... the pay sucks. But, that is not why I work at Michaels. I work there because it was a great environment to work in. Now, you've taken that away. I hope people start leaving in droves. If you are part-time, your hours suck... work 4 hours one week, and 30 the next. Or it may be 4 hours a week for three weeks straight. But, if you are getting a Corporate visit, plan on working however long they want. Up to the point of overtime. You will never, ever get overtime. There is no training whatsoever. You are hired and thrown to the wolves. This includes management positions as well. If you are one of the stores that got a remodel, be prepared to be expected to know what your are supposed to do ... without any guidance from Corporate. But, they will be quick to let you know that you are doing it wrong. They have completely changed the store and the way it's ran and didn't tell the employee's their new expectations. Brian Cornell is no longer CEO... he abruptly left in March after less than two years with the company. WHY?!! The new CEO is John Menzer, formerly of Wal-Mart. Well, you can see where this company is headed now.
