When will they learn you can't simply import Japanese work culture into the US - Assistant Store Manager Uniqlo Employee Review

1.0
Feb 9, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get to work with great products. If you're lucky, you get to work with a fun and interesting team. And they pay better than many others in the field.

Cons

Job is simple and stress-free enough (albeit pretty strict) from when you're a sales associate up to a supervisor. Once you enter management though, be prepared for the company to work you until your hair turns gray and you got constant bags under your eyes. Felt like I was on the verge of death and was always stressed out. Be prepared for burnout. The fact is, Uniqlo is a Japanese company that clings to its Japanese work culture and refuses to adopt any semblance of a healthy work-life balance. Doesn't matter that the stores are in the US. They feel the Japanese way is superior and stubbornly reject calls to change and adapt. They say they care about your wellbeing and are trying to improve work-life balance, but that's just lip service. Internally, nothing has changed. They try to cover over it by paying its staff more than their competitors in a bid to get you to stay, but that's just applying a band-aid over a festering wound. Also doesn't matter if you can't handle it. If you quit, they'll just bring in one of their thousands of Japanese expats to replace you in seconds. At least they're used to the Japanese work culture and won't complain like those soft Americans (sarcasm). Uniqlo honestly probably has one of the highest turnover rates in the industry.

Explore other reviews about Uniqlo

5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great career development, fast paced

Cons

Work life balance, tough feedback

3.0
Jul 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You learn a lot of the business; scheduling and payroll, labor management, how to create a daily workflow to accomplish business objectives. You're provided with detailed insights into a store's operations- it's P&L statement, total inventory and how convert key data into actionable plans. Simply put, you are challenged and will learn a lot.

Cons

Company and store experience varies greatly by store location. Unfortunately, management favoritism results in certain individuals getting better treatment and greater access to professional opportunities. Additionally, Company HR is very tepid when addressing store issues pertaining to behaviors exhibited by store management towards associates. Scheduling can be very inflexible and unaccommodating.

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