IGA Manly was formerly owned by Alan and Kimberley Hrlec but sold the store in July 2017 without informing the staff and we found out through the other business owners in the area. Before being sold, I experienced the absolute worst company culture of any business I have ever been employed with.
Alan refused to pay his staff penalty rates on public holidays, extra wages after working past 6pm (as legally stated in our Retail Award), would often come into the store and swear and abuse at the staff for no reason. Breaks were discouraged, often if we did not take a break we would still have a half hour deducted from our pay and would take weeks to resolve. Constantly complained we spent too much money on labour whilst the store was understaffed. On public holidays, no extra people would be rostered on while Alan made near triple profits. We were also expected to work Christmas Day for no extra money.
All staff, including management (bar the two favourite managers whom were best friends with the store manager) were employed on a casual basis, with most managers working at the store for over 3 years and still no opportunities to advance. Most of the management did an excellent job considering what they had to work with.
The store manager, Susan Kelly, would not ever approach staff if she felt they had made an error, but instead would write passive aggressive rude notes for everyone to read and see. No training was provided to any staff, on the first day you are put onto the registers alongside another casual register employee (not a manager) and from the second day onwards left alone.
The store was decrepit and disgusting, been owned by Alan for years yet no money put in. Alan purchased IGA Gumdale in July 2016 and spent thousands improving the store while taking stock and supplies to Gumdale from IGA Manly without replacing them.
There was zero recognition for any staff but Susan's favourites; on occasion there would be an employee of the month every 3 months or so which rotated between the same 3-4 people.
I have never seen such a poorly run business.
Luckily, IGA Manly is now under new management, the Jones Group, who do an excellent job and has since fixed all of the former issues in just 1 month.
If you are reading this review and are about to be interviewed or hired for a position at IGA Gumdale, I highly recommend leaving immediately and handing in a resume at Manly or Manly West to avoid months of unhappiness.