My experience at this company was the worst experience in my working life. I don't even know where to begin. It's like working in a cult. They try and brainwash you into thinking it's the greatest place to work and that you would be lucky to find anything better. Luckily, I did find something better, not just in company values, but also in pay. The pay was a contentious issue for the majority of staff. Each year you would get an increase in pay if you were classed as 'outstanding' (sort of like being in school) which could give you a 2p pay rise. Yes, one hardworking, long-time Partner got a 2p pay rise. 2p. The pay then went to minimum wage and the hardworking watched the lazy get paid the same, so they decided to do less and got punished for it. Catch-22. The sickness policy is outdated and only serves as a punishment towards you for getting sick. They label investigations as "fact finding" but you will get no support for being ill. In fact, when your mental health is suffering as a result of this job, your manager will call the occupational health nurse to double-check they didn't have to follow her advice to help you. Said manager will then proceed to tell you this. The managers are not to be trusted. They act as though they will listen, only to throw you under the bus to serve their own agenda. One manager in the Cardiff branch was so rude to a Christmas temp over uniform, they handed in their notice the next day. All over a dress being a bit too long. Yep. That's what they waste their time on. Misogyny is also rampant in the Cardiff branch and will generally get brushed aside. I also watched committed Partners who jumped through every hoop in the name of "progression" routinely devalued. Didn't I say it was like working in a cult? Finally, you are a Partner in name only. You have no say in anything. Your opinions do not matter. You are a number and nothing more. The trauma I suffered as a result of management bullying is something I hope nobody else has to suffer at work. I was lucky enough to have caring colleagues who supported me through it and encouraged me to find another job. Don't waste your time working for John Lewis. You are worth more.
