Worst Retail Job I’ve Ever Had - Brand Representative Altar'd State Employee Review

2.0
May 23, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people I had met along the way and the employee discount. That’s it. Nothing more and nothing less.

Cons

Pay cuts and then somehow brought the pay back as a way of convincing employees to “stay” but it was too late, scheduling is horrendous; they’ll schedule part time workers to somehow work full time hours but also force them to only 2 days off out of the week instead of what days they need off for classes. It’s bad enough we felt pressured to even ask for breaks. It’s bad enough they suddenly don’t trust the employees enough to clock out when we’re supposed to and clock back in. I have to be harassed and questioned on if I really clocked in/out or not. What kind of place is this? Then they’ll right you up for having your cell phone in your back pocket? I understand if you’re texting and not doing work but to leave it just in your pocket for emergencies…I see no harm in that especially when American Dream Mall is noted for their robberies, threats and fights but safety first I guess? They will tell you to work an hour and a half past closing time yet we close an hour earlier than the rest and yet all the other stores in the mall are closed before us. The hilarious thing about that is even when you’re scheduled to close at a certain time, they’ll keep you an extra half hour if 1 one go back rack is not done or if there’s only 5 orders left in the system. Also, management does not know how to manage a store full of young girls who are still students and need revision of their schedules. There’s managers here who have criminal records and get promoted and another bullies everyone in the store yet they wonder why there’s a reason for the massive turnover in 2024 so far; over a dozen employees gone in just this year alone and then losing 4 store leaders in less than 2 years but if I were to go to HR about the drama that unfolds at this store, I’d be in the wrong? I guess that doesn’t matter if the customers somehow “likes” you and you’re pulling in sales that don’t even count for commission based pay that we don’t even get, you’re good in Altar’d State’s eyes. I’ve never seen managers behave so unethical in all my life when they’re consistently fighting with each other AND the young employees plus they’ll do it in front of customers. There’s no proper training, new hires will get ridiculed over learning new material instead of practicing patience with them and having them receive real training instead of asking employees 5x a day on what to do. Customers will also question us about “Mission Mondays” and the net proceeds and no one knows what to say because no one was trained on what to say. They also have these secret shoppers (aka random customers who get paid to write an opinion and not someone from corporate), tell about our store and score it but if we fail, the employees working that day will get written up? This store just thinks backwards from training, to new staff hires, who you promote to managers, the pay, the “rules”, etc. This is a job…this is not our life. I could share more details on why this whole store gets away with too much but it needs to be interrogated!!! It’s unbelievable. Don’t let the appeal of the aesthetic fool you.

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Altar'd State Response
2y
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns. We will share your feedback with the appropriate teams. If you would like to discuss in further detail, please reach out to peopledevelopment@altardstate.com.

Explore other reviews about Altar'd State

5.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible with students was very helpful!

Cons

They had too many people on staff i felt.

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Altar'd State Response
1mo
We truly appreciate your perspective! If there is anything we can do to further support you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at peopledevelopment@altardstate.com.
1.0
May 24, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Everyone that isn’t a leader is nice in my opinion

Cons

They wanted us to be more peppy and cheerful, but when I did it the manager would ask me why am I being loud. But when I was quiet they would assume something is wrong with me and talk behind my back about how they think I don’t want to be there. I just have to ask why is it considered loud when I follow the standards.. these were managers talking about this (store manager & district manager). You would think if there was an actual issue with my customer service performance a customer would complain about me or the manager would politely ask me if I’m doing okay instead of talking behind my back and making assumptions. It makes me wonder why was I singled out amongst the entire team? It came off as micro aggressive and offensive as a poc.

avatar
Altar'd State Response
2w
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns. We will share your feedback with the appropriate teams. If you would like to discuss in further detail, please reach out to peopledevelopment@altardstate.com.
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