Cotton On
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    Cotton On
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Cotton On

    3.4231 ratings in total
    5
    64
    4
    61
    3
    45
    2
    32
    1
    29
    84%
    Rate salary as high or average
    68%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.5(231 ratings)
    Career development
    3.0(231 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    4.0(231 ratings)
    Management
    3.1(231 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.5(231 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.7(231 ratings)
    Ratings for Cotton On are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

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    2.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2026
    Sorrento VIC 3943Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Negative due to inconsistent management & evident favouritism.
    The good thingsThe location and wearing what you want
    The challengesAs a ex team member at Cotton On, I saw firsthand how strong the brand is in terms of style and customer engagement, but there are areas that could be strengthened. Customers would sometimes raise concerns about quality and fabric durability, particularly with basics, so improving consistency there could really elevate the brand. Sizing differences between styles also occasionally caused frustration in fitting rooms, so greater standardisation would enhance the shopping experience. Expanding inclusive sizing in-store and increasing transparency around sustainability would also help build deeper customer trust and loyalty. Opportunities, shifts, and development should be distributed based on clear and consistent criteria rather than perceived favouritism. providing better training and support for less experienced team members would also help them grow confidently in their roles.
    1.0
    Full Time Team Member
    Oct 2025
    Hurstville NSW 2220Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    The ad they posted was not transparent, they did not specify that it was a "body" role and that men were not going to be hired no matter what. They hired me as a full timer in the body section but it soon became clear that they expected me to take on the role of the department manager without promotion, training or pay. When I clarified that I was not the department manager and would not do the work designated to the department manager, I was taken in for my three month review, done by an outside manager, and told I was not fulfilling my role and I should either get with the program, or get out. I chose to leave because as a disabled person I could not physically or mentally take on what they wanted from me. Overall this company is not as good as everyone makes it seem, they are not inclusive or understanding and I would never work for them again.
    The good thingsNice co-workers and good staff discount
    The challengesManagement pushes employees to take on a huge workload, more than their position requires, and they force you to do work that was never disclosed in your job description. Including work that is physically dangerous or that they had never trained you to do.
    2.0
    Manager
    Nov 2024
    Chermside QLD 40321 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Depressing. Undervalue staff that actually do their jobs properly. Favouritism within the company is a big problem causing unfair advantages. Terrible salary if you are in management and absolutely no support when you need it. HR does nothing about work place issues nor does management. No room for progression unless you want to be in management and even then you’ll be waiting a long time. They will push staff to resign. Management have no idea how to nurture and support young staff especially.
    The good thingsGreat Friendships and decent discounts
    The challengesManagement, very clicky and toxic. Low salaries. Horrible work environment
    4.0
    Store Manager
    Jun 2024
    Perth WA 60003 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Good overall experience.
    The good thingsEmployee benefits, positive company image, experienced senior leadership.
    The challengesInsufficient resources to do a job well done.
    4.0
    Cotton On
    May 2024
    Emerald QLD 4720Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Overall working at cotton on was a great experience of working in the retail industry.
    The good thingsThe benefits of working at cotton on was the 50% off on the full priced items, having a good team to work with. Having a bit of fun with them now and then but still having to look professional at the same time.
    The challengesBanking, refunds/exchanges, dealing with customers that were specific on what they wanted or just simply being rude. Not having enough team members so working double time.
    1.0
    Regional Manager
    Mar 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000
    Toxic culture with no real care for people. Seeing the toll on Mental health of team was alarming. They want to be seen as ticking all the boxes with wellness and Mental Health however the reality is far from that.
    The good thingsThe store teams. The people and being able to impact their experience.
    The challengesThe expectations on people. Unorganised. Poor Senior Management and National level, letting go of the people leaders was evident in the decline of the culture and team engagement.
    4.0
    Merchandise Manager
    Jul 2023
    Geelong VIC 3220
    Great team, fun environment, high expectation
    The good thingsAmazing team, always lots of fun and a great working enviroment
    The challengesHigh demand on teams
    5.0
    Business Analyst
    Sep 2022
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Amazing place to work at!
    The good thingsOne of the best places to work. The culture is absolutely amazing and so are the people. Had a really good time at this place and built good connections. If they need anything done it was just go ahead and get it done. Work life balance, a great cafe, gym, etc., this place has it all.
    The challengesIf fast paced isn't your thing then this wouldn't be the place for you.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Casual Retail Worker
    Jun 2022
    Is the perfect company to join if you are just starting to join the workforce or need a simple job outside of studying.
    The good thingsExcellent working environment; supportive and respectful management; good uniform deals/perks
    The challengesAlmost minimum wage; constant cleaning/adjusting with high foot traffic; dealing with theft on a daily basis; dealing with disrespectful customers
    1 person found this helpful
    3.0
    Customer Service Representative
    May 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    It was alright
    The good thingsThe actual job, the people and the oppurtunities
    The challengesManagement, not being scheduled fairly, unfair expectations
    4.0
    Christmas Casual
    Feb 2021
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I really enjoyed it but I wish I was more flexible at the time
    The good thingsThe freedom of wearing whatever u want as long as it represents what is in store
    The challengesCustomers can buy stack loads of items which can be overwhelming but overall it’s not bad
    3.0
    Sales Assistant
    Jan 2021
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Good first job but some serious let downs
    The good thingsGreat job if you're starting out in retail, great team, good incentives to motivate, great discount on other brands.
    The challengesManagement expect you to be perfect and know everything about every product, high expectations when it comes to KPIs and deadlines, harsh penalties if you don't reach quotas, poor time management and planning, HR often let rude managers fall through the cracks as they don't have time to deal with it.
    3.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Oct 2020
    7 to 8 years in the role
    Fun, but wouldn't go back
    The good thingsThe staff discount and the colleagues. I love retail and cotton is a fun and vibrant environment
    The challengesThe management is really poor - and any staff below store manager is expected to jump through hoops for no reward/recognition
    2.0
    Store Manager
    Mar 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    They need to let store managers do the hiring that is suited to their store and not just look after uni students that don't have any interest
    The good thingsThe customers in my location
    The challengesTrying to keep up with the demands on a daily basis without a 2IC
    2.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    Pushed aside, but expected to always be available :/
    The good thingsThe brands, what they stand for the fact that people are willing to help
    The challengesGetting shifts, talking to the managers or some other shift workers as some were stuck up being able to manage new tasks when they haven’t been taught
    1 person found this helpful
    3.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Maybe not bad for a first job to get some experience
    The good things- Discounts - Fairly good pay especially with penalty rates
    The challenges- Not many hours, even as a Christmas casual - Demanding - Not a lot of guidance and support for someone new - A little slack– was never told that I wasn’t put on permanently after Christmas period, just stopped receiving rosters and had to get the idea myself
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    former employee
    Management is not good comparatively with other brands.
    The good thingsEmployee discount is really good.
    The challengesFor casual employees they don’t give any opportunities to learn from stores. Even in peak hours casuals get 4/8hours shift forthrightly.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Christmas Casual
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    A brief glimpse at a good job.
    The good thingsGreat staff discount, friendly and positive work environment, approachable managers, enjoyable work, solid pay.
    The challengesFor Christmas casuals there are very few shifts: cc’s do not have rostered shifts, they are offered shifts when available and you have to basically beg the manager to give them to you, because you’ll be competing with several other cc’s for them. There are also very few permanent positions on offer at the end of the contract, despite all the talk about career development opportunities when you first start.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Awesome
    The good thingsCustomer relations and perks
    The challengesKeeping up with KPIs and target
    5.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Well paying job with great perks and good people
    The good thingsPerks/Pay/People yup yup yup
    The challengesSometimes I don't get as many hours as I’d like.
    5.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    awesome company, great benefits, perfect for uni students
    The good thingssuch an awesome work environment, great management, and a sense of achievement when completing tasks
    The challengessometimes hard to reach benchmark KPIs and depending on store location shifts can be 1-2 a week
    4.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    A great place to have your first retail job and get experience in customer service.
    The good thingsA really welcoming environment with great employee benefits.
    The challengesReally late hours during holiday periods.
    4.0
    Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    It was really good, but wish they would train you better.
    The good thingsThe discount Meeting new people
    The challengesNot enough training we only had one day to learn everything, everything else was learn as you go.
    4.0
    Sales Manager
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Educational and free
    The good thingsThe whole structure of the company and the morality of the higher management. This company will surprise any employee with how personal and human the whole company as a whole is.
    The challengesThere is issues with retail in Canberra do not work in any retail job in Canberra
    5.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Great place to work. Good vibe and they appreciate their employees.
    The good thingsThe benefits. Discounts for your family and friends plus additional special offers and deals. Also loved the charity.
    The challengessometimes felt there wasn’t enough people on the floor to do what they wanted us to do. Especially sundays.
    2.0
    Department Manager
    Mar 2020
    I learnt a lot because I was put in stressful situations constantly and had to figure things out by myself
    The good thingsThere’s lots of hours available if you work really really hard to be recognised
    The challengesManagement can be very stressed and mean
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Overall cotton on has been an enjoyable work environment I actually look forward to work and working with the team I have.
    The good thingsThe staff benefits and perks are great. Fun work environment with relaxed KPIs. The opportunity to step up and given more responsibilities. The team is fun and easy going.
    The challengesBusy days especially around Christmas - you'll be run off your feet.
    3.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Great company to start with.
    The good things50% employee discount
    The challengesExtremely busy and the girls who joined before me tried to be bossy and made me do all the work. And some made fun for my accent as well.
    2.0
    Forklift Driver
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Average
    The good thingsGood friends great kitchen
    The challengesNot being able to go full time
    2.0
    Casual staff
    Mar 2020
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Lots of time lost on a company that simply did not care. Great for a first job for a year or so
    The good thingsReally relaxed work environment with plenty of nice casual staff to make friends and once you learn the job its easy to complete the required work
    The challengesThe management is poor, the company prides itself on promoting internally but in my 3.5 years working there that happen a grand total of 0 times. The expectations increase year by year but the hours and support to achieve this are slowly reduced bit by bit so the workload gets worse progressively. Any HR issues that are raised even if nominated as an anonymous issue are easily worked out for the source and HR takes the companies side every time and does not look after it's staff to a satisfactory level.
    1 person found this helpful
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