Pros
Pay is good but apart from that the negatives outweigh the positives.
Cons
First and foremost, I’ll begin with, I would never write anything like this however I had such an experience and feel so passionate that it would be unfair for me not to share and pre-warn others before even consider this employment. Working Conditions – They aren't the worst nor the best, however the job (Warehouse Operative – Picker) is mundane and gets tedious very quicky and therefore you lose drive and motivation which is never good for yourself or the employer. To add to that progression onto different roles that come under Warehouse Operative such as FLT (reach truck), loading and tramming is basically none existent. Those who are long term employees, favourites or who allegedly have medical condition are selected by managers to everything other than picking. Once you join, you are very briefly trained, just cover the basic safety but don’t get told about useful and critical information that would assist you with your role, I was made to find out myself or told by other colleagues. Management – The majority of the Team Leaders are really decent and will try to help you out but there are a few that let the management team down. I have been talked down to, undervalued / unappreciated, intimidated, harassed and borderline threatened by a certain manager – upon reporting this higher management and requesting to change shifts I was told that ‘a chat will be held with the person in question’ and that I cannot change shift at the current moment ‘as it does not suit operational demanded due to a lack of staff on this shift’. A total disregard for my welfare and wellbeing in the workplace. Just to note I was not the only one who was spoken to like this and other managers were aware of other instances and situations that are similar. Managers consistently pester you calling you into the office and speak to you on the floor regarding a ‘Pick Rate’ (190-200 cases an hour) which is what management state is the required amount for a picker to pick – this is totally made up and very difficult to achieve. The so called ‘Pick Rate’ fluctuates on a regular basis and if not met by the picker you will be called into the office and made to explain yourself - although it is not mentioned anywhere on your contract. Management will try and do you for performance and / or conduct and issue a notice of improvement which remains on your file for a period of 12 months. Pay – Good and in my opinion is better than I expected. You start on a rate of £9.61 and after 3 months rises to £10.67, which now has increased to £11.03 after a union vote. Depending on whether you are on day, late or Night shift there is % premium increase on hours worked on late 1700-1959 hrs of 10% or night hours worked between 2000-0559 hrs of 20% uplift of your basic rate. There is weekend premium of 10% uplift on hours worked between 0001-2359 on Saturday and Sunday and this is on top of the other premiums. Hours – Standard 40 hours per week, however in the contract it states that the company have the right to ‘Call the hour’ a maximum of 3 times a week. Throughout my employment this was abused, the hour was called three times a week without fail. This is counted as overtime, forced overtime, you have no choice but to work the additional 60 mins on top of your 8-hour shift. If you didn’t comply a notice of improvement would be issued to you. The only company that I’ve ever worked for that physically force you to do overtime, not what you want when you worked your contracted hours, you’re tired, want to go home and told at the last minute that you have to work more. Quality of work / life balance – Depending on what shift you do that suits your personal situation days (0600-1400), mid (1400-2200) or night (2200-0500). The shift that I worked felt like I was constantly there. You’re on a shift pattern it’s usually 4 on, 1 off / 4 on, 2 off / 5 on, 2 off and so on. You work most weekends. Majority of colleagues that you work with are a really nice bunch and that would be the only thing that would get me through the shift. Despite that morale is really low and everyone complains how you’re worked like a dog for no or little recognition or praise. Staff turnover is really high and due to that less people can take time off (done on a percentage of No. of staff) and the ‘hour is called’ due to lack of recruitment or should I rather say the failure of retention of staff means that people who work there pay the price, which is unfair and unjust. Probation period is 13 weeks, which will most likely get extended for up to a further 13 weeks. Throughout my employment my probation was extended. However, there were people who should have been signed off but excuses / reasons were made by managers to extend. I cannot confirm if this will / has happened, as I have left before then, but I heard from multiple sources that a lot of people will be let go after the Christmas period as the warehouse won't be as busy and the company will not require as many workers. In conclusion, before I embarked on this employment, I was prewarned but I thought surely a company can't be that bad and gave them a chance, in hindsight, regrettably I must add. I can assure you it is that bad! I was not happy working there and even of my days off that would be ruined just by the thought that I have be in the next day. Obviously, that is no way live and there is no job satisfaction / pride. I felt that the role I was in was depressing and mentally draining. Unfortunately, this is not the place where you want to be stuck for more than 3-6 months. I would strongly urge anyone to consider all the above and make an informed decision.
