Inexperienced Management, Low Pay - Customer Engagement Manager (CEM) Five Below Employee Review

1.0
Feb 4, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Associates make at most $13 an hour. CEMs won't get more than $20. If you have coworkers who you get along with well, it'll make the job a bit better. But you won't have time to actually talk and get to know each other. If you love mindless work with minimal effort, I recommend applying for a sales associate position. Great career opportunities bc so many people are leaving and then others are being promoted as their replacements.

Cons

Be wary - it's a "we're a family" company. That about says it all. Very minimal pay for: - No training whatsoever - Inconsistent scheduling - Understaffed locations - Restrictive corporate policies (don't worry, my general manager didn't follow any of them) - Predatory general managers - They make you sign paperwork that says you can't share salary information with coworkers, which is *illegal* - 5B is not above federal law. No transparency when it comes to salaries across the board. But associates won't make more than $13/hr and CEMs/MM no more than $20/hr. Hope this helps people who are looking to make a liveable wage!

Explore other reviews about Five Below

5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people, staff, and people to work with

Cons

None I loved it all

3.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-20% discount -med, dental, vision benefits -20-ish minimum hours per week -genuinely can be a fun store to work in when run well

Cons

-store managers have little to no oversight and cross professional boundaries often - hr is ineffective, document everything yourself, report to the EEOC -growth opportunities in the store are very limited and they will lowball you no matter what you do or sacrifice -crazy turnover because the expectations are unrealistic store managers lie about pay budget to everyone -more likely to hire teens and students because they are easier to take advantage of for little pay, only needs adult for when teens and students cannot work (night shifts, school days) - nearby stores, especially if in a strip mall or shopping center, like tj maxx have higher base pay, better benefits, better security, and more hour availability

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