The Big Issue Reviews

3.8

67% would recommend to a friend

(44 total reviews)

John Bird, Lord Bird of Notting Hill

78% approve of CEO

50% positive business outlook

The Big Issue has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 44 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The The Big Issue employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Media and communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

44 reviews
1.0
15 Feb 2023

Shameless,no set procedures,no training,you get insulted

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Maybe some of the people

Cons

Manager in front of HR asked me “if I had family problems” and if that’s why I couldn’t focus as a way to insult me,when in reality I couldn’t focus bc the work was nonsense and I was being bullied by him despite staying back late everyday.I cannot forget,and never got an apology from anyone.He also said “no offence”to preface this sham of a 3 month probation review.used to mock me when I said “bye”,never would say hello,would leave me out of training,mock me in front of everyone,asked me for “written reason” why I needed my annual leave saying those dates are not possible,then proceeded to give those dates to another colleague.Went through my drawers,and many many other bullying techniques day in day out.HR never told him off for commenting about my family,I never got an apology and I will get that apology for closure,I also have all the proof.I’m still scared to properly say anything but need closure and don’t have faith in company,so here I am writing this review

1.0
8 Jan 2020

Disgusting, lots of bullying, HR won't help

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nothing whatsoever. Avoid Avoid Avoid

Cons

Long hours, full of nonsense, rules made up on the spot, don't give you holidays when you want. Don't pay freelancers

avatar
The Big Issue Response
6y
Please contact me on 0207 526 3400 or elizabeth.divver@bigissue.com as I would really like to understand what went so very wrong. Are you a freelancer? Thanks very much for caring enough to post and for giving us the chance to respond.
4.0
11 Jul 2016

Vendors input towards Big Issue

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Used to love selling the Issue... Work when u want, Meet lots of people, Its dog friendly, love it and miss it,

Cons

Sometimes u get a bit of abuse but that is probably only a few percent of people u meet so the good out ways the bad n we love the banter n talking to genuine people

avatar
The Big Issue Response
9y
Thanks for taking the time to give us some feedback, and we're very glad you enjoyed selling The Big Issue. It is sad that anyone whose work puts them in contact with the public can sometimes experience abuse and if there is ever a way to pursue this with the police, we will always do so. I think you are right, though, there are more good-hearted people in the world than sour apples. For the benefit of anyone reading this who isn't familiar with how the magazine works, perhaps I should explain that Big Issue vendors aren't employed by The Big Issue. They buy the magazine from us for £1.25 and sell it for £2.50, thus earning £1.25 per sale. Anyone struggling with poverty can become a vendor to earn money legally to help get back control of his or her life. Once again, thanks for taking the time to comment and very best wishes to you and your dog!
Viewing 1 - 3 of 44 Reviews

Glassdoor has 56 The Big Issue reviews submitted anonymously by The Big Issue employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if The Big Issue is right for you.