- HR only supports the company: The HR team at Mud Bay is not anonymous or supportive of Mud Bay employees. An HR team member at one point implied that I would not want the company to be sued when I brought concerns regarding my safety and well being due to harassment by a store staff member. After that moment I felt unheard and unsafe approaching HR with any additional issues I encountered. After leaving the company and completing an exit interview, I was made aware that that exit interview was being shared with other corporate level employees. I was promised that these were anonymous and that my name would not be shared, this was not the case. When shopping at my local Mud Bay, I was informed that my exit interview had been shared with even store staff members. This is unacceptable and unsafe for former muddies that may experience retaliation. Do not go to HR unless you would openly talk about the issue with anyone at the company.
- Poor pay structure: The company claims they have a fair living wage due to regional differentiation. However, what they fail to understand is that many of their employees do not live in the same areas that they work. This causes employees to be paid less if the cost of living is less in the specific area their store is located. If you live in a higher living cost area but work in a lower living cost area you will not make a livable wage. There are also large gaps in pay depending on if you work at their home office or in stores. Giving no reason for store staff to try to build a long career due to poor pay.
- Poor Leadership: The leadership team at Mud Bay NEEDS more training. Managers and supervisors are inconsistent when it comes to the companies values. During my time at Mud Bay I experience intense micromanaging, lack of empathy and lost trust in my leadership. There tends to be favoritism, gossip, leading to an unhealthy work environment.
- Diversity and Inclusivity: The company does NOT listen to their employees or adapt to current social issues. Although the company once seemed supportive of LQBTQA and BLM rights, that is not the case or tone they are currently taking. The company has considered not allowing cash at their stores. A higher up at home office stated that we do not service a lower socioeconomic consumer. This is discriminatory and against everything Mud Bay claims to stand for.
- Home office: The leadership at Mud Bay is not experienced enough in their fields to be leading team members. You will not learn from industry professionals and if you have a degree that you are hoping to use you will 1) not be compensated for your level of knowledge 2) be far underpaid compared to industry standard and 3) you will not learn anything or actually lose the knowledge you have because you cannot apply it to what your position.
