Waitrose, has two faces!
Pros
As with many of the reviews on here there are many reoccurring themes. But in my opinion there are only a few differences that separate Waitrose from it's competition as an employer.... 1. Other benefits (not including the bonus), a lot of discount on recreational activities as well as money off in restaurants etc 2. Decent holiday time from 4 weeks. 3. Smart dress code 4. Decent breaks typical 1hr 30 mins for a 9 hr shift For me however this is where the pros finish for shop-floor workers unless you make it into higher management whereby you will benefit from... 1. Decent pension 2. Even more holiday and an extended 6 months off once you've completed 25 years service.
Cons
I could write a thesis on the cons, but not because Waitrose is a bad company, rather because it pretends to be something it isn't. 1. Bad management, many people are promoted based on an old boys network. If you are a suck up then progression becomes that bit easier 2. Double standards. An example of this would be some managers from other sections (or your own) telling partners off for not wearing the correct uniform whilst failing to notice another partner doing the same (usually a manager with tattoos and excessive jewellery) , this is a huge problem in my opinion. 3. Pay, many people will highlight the bonus as a reason why Waitrose is a superior employer, but this is a smokescreen. Waitrose still do not pay a living wage which means the bonus just bridges the gap between a crap wage and a crap wage. 4. Graduates, Waitrose has many graduates who they employ into branch management roles. Now imagine working for the company for many years only to be patronised on how to do your job by some smart * who hasn't lifted anything more strenuous then a pen. 5.Customers, Waitrose generally has a 'superior' type of customer. Basically snobs who are rude, inconsiderate, I could write a separate page of examples. I'm so used to dealing with rude obnoxious customers that when somebody does finally say 'excuse me' it leaves me blanked faced and confused. 6. Managers who kiss the badge, Waitrose is a partnership and so everybody is expected to take pride in 'their business' ( it's our business which is run by somebody else, go figure), but this becomes sickly when some managers ignore the businesses faults and refuse to see any negatives. 7. High turn-over of part time staff. this completely undermines the partnerships core principles since many workers are of school age and clearly only care about the money to take to uni (I'm one of them, currently studying a degree as an adult learner), although I don't blame these youngsters it means the core values are not upheld. 8. Free coffee , turns customers into Beckham wannabies. 9. Not enough hours, this may only be a problem in my branch but it creates many unrealistic targets, plus all you ever hear is the same monotonous voice calling 'all till trained partners to the checkouts', 'go away, I'm trying to ensure Sir and Lady can buy their essential mojito chicken cigarellos'.
