A nightmare - Assistant Store Manager Bath & Body Works Employee Review

1.0
Jan 9, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you like their products, they do have a decent employee discount program.

Cons

In short, the worst company I have ever worked for. Let me start by saying that I was an Assistant Store Manager with many years of retail experience. Two aspects of this job made it absolutely unbearable: 1. My District Manager 2. NO work life balance. I will begin by describing my pleasantries dealing with the DM I was under. She would cancel PTO last minute, talk down to people who worked for her, and if you did have the unfortunate experience of meeting her… the judgement was palpable. I worked retail, so I am very much aware of the OT that needs put in to ensure the job is done 100%. HOWEVER, in no way, shape, or form is it reasonable to work until 3am on a floorset and have to come back in at 7am to finish the floorset because lack of associates and support. Not to mention after coming in at 7am, leaving at 10am to come back at 1pm to close where I would inevitably have to stay late to set up a stupid promotion no one wanted to hear about. Don’t be fooled: this was not a one time occasion. Scheduled till 6? Don’t make plans before 8. Scheduled till 4? Don’t plan to be anywhere before 7! More on the canceling of PTO. I had APPROVED PTO in order to spend time with my new puppy that I was getting. That PTO and my first week with my dog were robbed from me. Time I will never get back. Bitter doesn’t being to cover it. This DM has no soul and even worse - the company makes it nearly impossible to report harassment. And it was harassment. I was upset about my PTO and in an attempt to break me down she made the Store Manager schedule me to close the entire week. Every. Single. Night. Closing. When I called HR to attempt to report retaliation, I was informed they don’t accept totally anonymity. The information they would need would inevitably unveil who I was so I hung up because I was so afraid of what the DM would do. I literally left the store every day crying my entire way home. It was not worth $20/hr plus whatever bonus they bribe you with to be a lotion robot. PS that DM still works for the company so do with that what you will

Explore other reviews about Bath & Body Works

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I previously worked in the field (for a different brand) and we were always so weary of corporate teams coming into the stores. However, the corporate team at Bath & Body Works is absolutely incredible, supportive, and does everything they can to advocate for the stores. The entire Store Ops team is full of people who care deeply about the brand, the store associates, and the customer.

Cons

A lot of meetings. But being remote, it was nice to see faces throughout the day!

5.0
Jul 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great brand to work for! Corporate leaders are great at motivating team down to associate level. (Not sure about Daniel yet though, I’m mostly referring to the tentured leadership team) There’s access to tools that offer clear communication (almost too much communication sometimes). Development is the core of this brand and managers are trained to foster internal talent when it’s identified. The product sold here is cherished by a huge fanbase as well- customers feed off of the excitement the associates have around the product.

Cons

Operationally demanding and challenging; don’t underestimate how much labor and planning goes into selling candles and lotion.

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