Pros
Schedule can be quite flexible, the hours are nice, although working until 6pm seemed unnecessary. Consistent lunch hour.
Cons
None of the pros are with the trade offs you have to make. Area managers are obviously under an immense amount of pressure because they transfer it over to the store managers. You think you’re taking an office job but you’re asked to be maintenance, pest control, janitor, handyman, used car salesman forcing boxes and packing supplies on people who obviously aren’t interested and can get boxes for free elsewhere. The level of micromanagement is insane and caused me so much stress I’d literally have a panic attack before work some days. The pressure to cover other locations will take you away from your family, making the schedule so much less desirable. You’re shamed if you refuse to do the other store coverage and tell them it’s because you value your family time. There is no maternity leave. I was harassed and ridiculed for pumping for my newborn during my legally required break times. When I was first hired as an ASM, the man who was hired at the same time was paid more even though I came with 10 years of experience and he had none. The best thing I ever did for myself and my mental health was leave.