Inconsistent and Petty Management - Sales Associate Talbots Employee Review

3.0
Apr 11, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-60% discount on new items DURING Brand Moment -Nice clothes -Good customer base most of the time, often regulars -Store floor employees all get along well -Works well with school schedule -Warm up on promotions before every shift

Cons

-50% outside of Brand Moment period if you use cash or check, 40% if you use debit or credit...seriously? -Extreme passive/micro-aggression from management if you accidentally upset them. Anything from belittling you in front of customers, putting back associate holds after they get off shift, and even refusing to do returns/refunds for associate purchases if you don't give a good reason -Given hours far below what was mentioned, 9-13 hours weekly instead of the 20-25 hours promised during interview and hiring process -SM and AM are never on the same track no matter how much they claim to be. Each day is different and can be good or bad depending who is in charge -SM would rather be caught committing murder than do tasks like check on customers in dressing rooms, do go backs, or recover like the AMs and everyone else. -Management will come to work wearing jeans, tennis shoes, or converses, looking like they rolled out of bed then discipline you for wearing loafers "a tad bit too casual." -Favorites are a thing -No opportunity to advance in company unless there 20+ years minimum

Explore other reviews about Talbots

5.0
Jul 13, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Really nice working environment here

Cons

None, haven’t gotten the job yet

1.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

None. This company is garbage compared to how it used to be.

Cons

Slave wages, not enough hours for anyone except management because the private equity company that owns us has cut our staff to a skeleton crew even on busy days. Management and associate alike are stretched super thin to the point of exhaustion. Even as a sales associate, there was a time I supported myself on a Talbots salary. Now I have to choose between paying my car insurance or getting an oil change. I used to get 30+ hours a week even as a sales associate. Now I'm lucky if I get 20. Health benefits are a rip-off. The company in my observation has had a time finding and maintaining good workers. If you value your livelihood, run fast and run far.

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