Used to be fun. - Sales Associate Vans Employee Review

1.0
Feb 1, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good discount. Used to have a laid back skate shop vibe.

Cons

I had a lot of fun working at my store up until about 2 months ago. My store manager has been coming down on us about every last detail and is starting to enforce policies that he made up. If we don't follow them we get our hours cut and threatened with write-ups. For MADE UP policies. He even said "I don't want my associates to be comfortable, I want them to be bold. If they're not bold, they're gone." There are two floor supervisors who work really hard to keep the associates happy and having fun but as soon our store manager found out about it they also had their hours cut and were threatened with write-ups. And now every associate has been told to keep tabs on the supervisors and make sure they are following the manager's policies. All because they were trying to keep us happy. I was one of the few associates who were given the opportunity to move up as I asked one of those supervisors if it was worth it and he said that I would just be as unhappy as they were. Over half of the team has talked about quitting in the next month because of how terrible it's become.

Explore other reviews about Vans

5.0
May 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Everyone was so nice and the job was very fun! I miss it every day.

Cons

Sometimes I didn't like the shoe designs.

3.0
Apr 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The environment is absolutely amazing with my coworkers and they are always supportive. Any issues that arise are met with a high level of humanity - on the base level of the people I work with, because I haven't really delt with corporate. It genuinely feels nice to work here when you have a team like mine. The culture of skating is absolutely amazing to learn about at VANs and be a part of as well. I like the history behind some of the shoes, but that's probably just because I'm a history nerd.

Cons

Part time doesn't get many hours or enough pay to survive off of. However, you can't become full time unless you get a higher position. Sadly, they are incredibly hard to get, due to the fact people seem to stay with VANs if they get that promotion, just because it seems to be great to work here once you have that higher position. As well as the usual shift is 4 hours, and sometimes you only get one shift a week. It's just incredibly hard to stay here when it can't even give you enough money on your paychecks to get a small amount of groceries that'll last one person two weeks.

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