Hamleys Reviews

These parties became less fun when I worked a "sleepover" (7pm - 10am) for NO extra hourly rate (depsite unsociable hours.) Also over Christmas we were expected to be in for 7.30am to run the breakfast with santa club yet rarely allowed to leave before 5pm for no over time. (unpaid) Lunches were often cut short by work requirements I was paid a pittance : £6.50ish an hour, despite being an entertainer and having to look after high priority guests. Entertainers in other industries get at least £20 ph! I was on a 3 day a week contract but expected to work 5 days a week which I willingly did. However when I took a weeks holiday, I was only paid my contractual 3 days. Also at Christmas when I ask to work my contractual days over the Christmas week, I was told I had to work 5 ! I think somehow they got the best of both worlds there. During winter I had to stand outside of the front of the store dressed as a Doll (fine) - However I was left outside the store for periods longer than 1 hour in temperatures of 0 degrees or colder with no thermal clothing provided. If we weren't cheery enough in the above conditions we were told off.

It's just awful. Beyond awful. People genuinely go insane working here. It's like a lunatic asylum with staff members wandering around in some sort of beaten down fish wife that has lost all hope of ever finding happiness again. When you speak to staff, everyone and I mean everyone hates it. They hate turning up they hate being there and all they can think of is that first drink that will relieve the numbness and depression that has created up on them. It's strange. I work as a demonstrator, and like many others I find it difficult to leave. I can only describe it as being in an abusive relationship that you are scared to leave. Thank goodness you have an equally miserable support group in your fellow workers. Maybe we are all glutton for punishment, maybe we have done something truly terrible in a previous life that means we must be punished with this form of torture. Please, please if you are reading this and have an ounce of sanity do NOT work for this firestorm of hell. You WILL LOSE YOUR MIND