pressure cooker, profit motives, power struggles - Merchandising Sur La Table Employee Review

1.0
Apr 18, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I really liked going to the stores and meeting our customers. They love Sur La Table and the things we sell, and the people that work there are great. Super friendly! I love cooking and am kind of a foodie and it's fun to see what new products are coming

Cons

It is so stressful to work here, and all management cares about is money and profits. I cannot tell you how many times I went home frustrated, or in tears. I would wake up and dread going to work. I started getting migraines from all the stress. Working here is so confusing because you just don't know what you're doing, and nobody really helps you. It's all about following executive orders, no matter how ridiculous they are. The hardest thing for me was spending most of my time doing work that had nothing to do with my real job. No matter how many times I brought this up with my manager I was always told that's how it is so deal with it. The office is so disorganized, and the culture is just dreadful. It's just so strange how the people that have been there awhile just accept it. It's like they've never worked at a normal company. I just couldn't take it anymore.

Explore other reviews about Sur La Table

5.0
Mar 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This is a good job for benefits and teaching experience

Cons

Don’t have autonomy over cancelling classes

2.0
May 31, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Staff was friendly and willing to help through the hiring and training process, and tasks were shared evenly

Cons

Management implements rules that harm the flow of sales and make for terrible checkout lines. Scheduling was always done last minute and it was impossible have a stable work schedule due to last minute changes and no stable scheduling duties for managers

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All