Understaffed, disregard of staff wellbeing, unsafe conditions, and lack of managerial accountabilityThe good thingsDespite a major culture issue in the workplace one of the most enjoyable aspects of my time here was the friendships I had built within the team. We developed positive dynamic that made a real difference to the day‑to‑day work experience. The relationships I formed were meaningful, and the team became a key source of motivation and connection. When resigning, the team was genuinely the hardest part to leave.
The challengesThere was an ongoing lack of support from management, with staff frequently spoken down to, yelled at, and shown little empathy for personal circumstances. Despite repeated reductions in hours, expectations remained unchanged. Shifts that normally required five staff were reduced to three, and shifts requiring three were reduced to two, creating serious work health and safety risks.
As a result, theft increased noticeably, leading to ongoing concerns for personal safety. I was physically assaulted by multiple customers during this time, and these incidents were not adequately acknowledged or addressed.
Performance expectations were unrealistic, with tasks strictly timed and failure to meet benchmarks resulting in formal write‑ups. Positive reinforcement and appreciation were minimal. While a “Moments That Matter for Our People” initiative was introduced to support staff, it was not effectively followed through. I received positive feedback only a handful of times over four years.