- Managers are VERY cliquey (sp?) and some of them gossip too much about each other and some co-workers, even though IKEA has a gossip policy.
- HR does not apply rules fairly - it depends on who management likes. If you are liked (or upper management), you can get extended leaves of absence, flexible work schedules, come in late or not at all, and basically not worry about following any of the 1000 nitpicky rules and regulations at this store. If you're not one of those people, expect to have every little infraction mentioned to your manager and written up.
- Store is never staffed with enough people, and you will be expected to help out in understaffed areas no matter what your actual job is. This is pretty common in retail though, but they seem to purposely staff low.
- IKEA expects everyone to want to be there for life. If you tell your manager you are not interested in sticking around for a career, or developing into management, they kind of forget about you or seem to think less of you. They don't seem aware that most of their jobs are entry level and pay very low to mid range at best. Even if you do want to stay here long term - there is almost NO movement in management, so opportunities are slim. Many of the managers have been in Pittsburgh 10 years or more - they're not going anywhere. Which means co-workers buy into all the hype of a development plan, and then can wait around for years before a job opens up.
- Technology is way behind the times. This store will cut costs any way that they can.
