Is what it is. - General Manager In Training Five Below Employee Review

2.0
Apr 10, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working at Five Below was cool because people were very happy to be shopping there and they were typically good customers. I enjoyed seeing everybody happy with the cool merchandise mix the stores have to offer.

Cons

As a general manager they tell you to work 45 hrs per week but I rarely worked less than 60. It's a salaried gig so it didn't matter. I would get calls after working all night and about to go to sleep at 11am and be told I have to go back in for a visit or get this certain promotional feature built because we were having a contest around it.

Explore other reviews about Five Below

5.0
Jun 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fun environment Fun coworkers Always something new to discover

Cons

Low pay Not enough hours

1.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Salary and bonus opportunities, and talented colleagues.

Cons

I rarely write reviews, but I hope this helps others understand the culture I experienced. I joined the company excited about the opportunity and dedicated myself to delivering results, building strong cross-functional partnerships, and supporting the business. Throughout my time there, I consistently received positive feedback from stakeholders and colleagues and was never made aware of any performance concerns or gaps. I was a top-performing team member and delivered consistent business results. My employment ended without warning. The explanation I received was simply that the company had “decided to move in a different direction." There had been no prior coaching, performance improvement plan, or conversations indicating my role or performance was at risk. It was a complete shock—not only to me, but also to many of my peers who reached out expressing surprise and frustration. The most disappointing part wasn’t just the decision itself, but how it was handled. Transparency, honest communication, and respect seemed to be missing from the process. Employees deserve timely, candid feedback and the opportunity to address concerns before life-changing decisions are made. Instead, I was left trying to make sense of a decision that didn’t align with the feedback I had consistently received. No workplace is perfect, and difficult business decisions sometimes have to be made. However, if you’re considering joining this organization, I encourage you to ask thoughtful questions about leadership communication, performance management, and how employees are supported when priorities shift. Your experience may depend heavily on the team and leadership you work under. Cons: Lack of transparency, inconsistent communication, limited psychological safety, and an environment where employees may not receive honest feedback until it’s too late.

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