Retail work is a horrible environment and needs massive change as an industry - Department Specialist Crate and Barrel Employee Review

1.0
30 Jan 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Semi-flexible schedule for part-timers, a lot of product knowledge

Cons

Absolutely no work-life balance, schedule is never the same week-to-week and it could be, communication from leaders is sporadic, inconsistent, contradictory of each other, or doesn't happen at all. Arbitrary business process changes are frequent, not discussed with the end users, and invariably are found to not work. The time and resources lost in these useless endeavors is exhausting and creates an atmosphere of distrust and lack of respect for store and corporate leaders. Any criticism is met with a demand to be positive and/or being told you are negative. This is power abuse at its worst. The constant gas-lighting and expectation to be perfect in your mood and attitude in order to move up is not realistic and inhumane.

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1.0
29 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The only saving grace is the people I've worked with . Other than that I'd leave a negative star if I could.

Cons

The CEO Janet Hayes has taken away additional employee discounts . At a certain time of the year we used to get an additional 15% off on top of our regular discounts. GONE! If an in store customer would like to have an item that ships directly from the vendor we offer free shipping . If an employee would like to do the same not only do we have to pay for shipping but our discounts can no longer be applied . How low can you go? What a great way to motivate the employees and show us all that we are just numbers and you could care less about us . This company doesn't care about it's workers and I wouldn't tell someone I don't like to work there. Every location is experiencing high turnover as management is typically incompetent and focuses on all the wrong things. Training is laughable and most designers are thrown to the wolves with high expectations after a few videos . You can not make as much as advertised so don't waste your time. Most don't stick around more than 3-6 months . You have to have open availability and they don't care if you go to church or need family time . There will be no work life balance . Constant updates are always required . What are you selling ? What are your future sales ? How many cards have you opened or how many emails can you capture? How many in home visits have you made ? Speaking of which did you know they send women to in home visits by themselves without vetting clients in the store first ? Another huge potential lawsuit on the horizon.

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