Safe work environment, but management needs improvement - Retail Assistant WHSmith Employee Review

3.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Safe work environment as they are mostly located in Airports

Cons

Not very good management and very little regulation.

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WHSmith Response
2w
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for being part of the WHSmith team over the past 1–2 years. We're pleased to hear that you value the safe working environment we provide, particularly within our airport locations. Creating a workplace where colleagues feel safe and supported is a key priority for us. We also appreciate your comments regarding management and regulation. We understand that the quality and consistency of leadership can have a significant impact on the employee experience, and we're always looking for ways to improve. Feedback such as yours helps us identify areas where we can strengthen communication, support, and operational processes across our stores. Thank you again for your contribution and for sharing your perspective. We wish you continued success in your role and encourage you to continue providing feedback through the appropriate channels so we can keep improving.

Explore other reviews about WHSmith

5.0
Oct 30, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Management and communication skills and training

Cons

Hours no set schedule last minute changes

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WHSmith Response
1y
Thank you for your review. We are glad to hear that you enjoy working for your manager and that they are effective in communicating and issuing training. As for your comments around hours, we always try to make sure that these are scheduled in plenty of time for our employees. If you have any feedback around your rota we'd love for you to feedback to us and reach out.
1.0
Jun 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Field teams often house resilient and loyal employees, despite the chaos in upper management.

Cons

WHSmith houses a culture of pure toxicity. There is zero job security, and rather than coach or communicate clear directives and expectations, they choose to overhaul management teams in all departments. They routinely have mass layoffs in departments from field leadership to corporate office members. In the time I've been away from the company, more than 80% of upper management has been laid off and replaced from outside WHSmith. If you are considering a job with WHSmith, I implore you to run, not walk away from it. There are no positives in taking any management positions in any capacity.

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WHSmith Response
1d
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for your many years of service with WHSmith. We're pleased to hear your recognition of the resilience, loyalty, and commitment of our field teams. Our colleagues are at the heart of our business, and we appreciate the dedication they bring every day. We're sorry to learn that your experience of our culture and leadership did not meet your expectations. We understand that periods of organisational change can be challenging, and we recognise the impact this can have on colleagues. We take feedback about communication, leadership, and workplace culture seriously, as these are areas we continually strive to strengthen. At WHSmith, we are committed to creating an environment where colleagues feel supported, valued, and able to succeed. Reviews such as yours help us reflect on where we can continue to improve, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. We wish you every success in your future career.
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