Management Problems and Few Incentives - Sales Associate Talbots Employee Review

3.0
Nov 23, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I love my co-workers and my assistant manager, these individuals make working at Talbots an enjoyable experience. I love the wonderful discounts on the beautiful clothes as well.

Cons

Our manager has the assistant manager do most of her job. Now that the manager is made to do the schedule she changes it at a whim and does not notify the employees that she has put them on the schedule to work when they were supposed to be off. When someones parent dies employees are not all treated the same as far as being given time off to be with their dying family member. When a dedicated employee has a loved one die, he company does not send flowers even if the employee has worked for them for years. I have worked for the company for several years and have never been given a raise even though our manager continues to get her bonus for the work that we do to help make the numbers so she can receive a bonus. The company sends out cookies instead of a bonus at Christmas, most of the gifts that come to employees as a thank you for their productivity probably cost more to ship them than the food itself. Our store is dirty, there are dead bugs in the bonus storage area, these bugs have been there since I have worked there. The store is dirty, the walls need painted and it needs new carpet. We were told that the company would not allocate money to clean the carpet last year, therefore when they finally let us get it cleaned , much of last year's mud was ground into the carpet permanently. 15 minutes to open and close a store to save on work hours is not sufficent time to get things done right. Too many of your sizes vary from one item to another, I firmly believe this is due to "Fair Trade" and having our clothing made in too many different countries. Sometimes we receive clothing from China that reaks of chemicals, none of the staff ever buys that clothing. The only item that I have seen that was made in the U.S.A. in Talbots over the last 10 years were some socks and tights.

Explore other reviews about Talbots

5.0
May 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Team was so supportive and kind - Taught me lots of valuable industry experience

Cons

I have no cons to mention

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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