Pros
Pros – The benefits package is good, and the ability to take TOIL (time off in lieu) effectively increases your annual leave allowance, which can be a real perk. The work environment is very sociable, which some may enjoy. During quieter periods, workloads can be minimal, which for certain people might balance out the intense, high-pressure busy periods.
Cons
Where do I even start? Within the company, the workforce is overwhelmingly young - even at management level. I believe this lack of managerial experience has contributed to a culture of favouritism. Managers tend to reward those who fit a very specific mould - typically “sociable” or highly extroverted - while others with different strengths are overlooked or pushed aside. The culture at Valpak seems to suit only the extremely outgoing. If you are naturally extroverted, you’ll be praised and noticed; if not, you may feel invisible. The workload is also unreasonable. As noted by other reviews, working hours can be horrendous, with up to 8 hours of mandatory overtime per week for extended periods. I often found myself working until 2–3 a.m. to meet deadlines. Because I was new and the overtime wasn’t technically “mandatory,” I wasn’t paid for those extra hours. Training is minimal. You’re thrown straight into complex submissions with little guidance, which is both stressful and inefficient. The work itself quickly becomes repetitive, and internal mobility is very limited. To make matters worse, the pay is poor for the demands of the role. Overall, I would not recommend this job — it simply isn’t worth the toll it takes.
