Pros
I made friends with so many of my colleagues. Really interesting people who broadened my perspective. I was constantly getting free soap and broken bath bombs and face masks from wastage and I think I basically have a life-time supply of lovely soap now. Felt passionate about the brand and about the values and proud to say where I worked. 50% discount was lovely. With bonus on top it was incredibly good wages for under-18 working in retail. I definitely improved in confidence while I was working there. Staff training was fun and there was a nice team feel in the store. Managers generally tried to be constructive with feedback.
Cons
Micro-management with a whole meta-team of supervisors just watching you sell stuff to make comments is quite stressful. No break on a five hour shift once over the age of eighteen, which is exhausting when you're on your feet and constantly approaching and being bubbly. Occasional concerns about sexual harassment from customers weren't taken very seriously by management. I felt quite uncomfortable advocating the cult of Lush to all the young girls coming in: "I need to put a picture of Intergalactic on Instagram!!!" It is difficult to fit in around study; minimum of two days a week and compulsory staff training and stock take one night most weeks of the month; my schoolwork definitely suffered. It needs to be the main priority of your life. I'd get headaches quite a bit from the intense smell. I felt the need to have my skin looking very good and felt quite conscious of my appearance.
