A good place to work, but there are some downsidesThe good thingsI worked my way up to SP during a study/career break after working at UNIQLO as a casual during uni. Then COVID hit, and I continued to progress up the ladder. In all fairness, they do value staff who would like to learn more about the operations and management side of the store/business. While I didn't agree with all of the operations 'ways of doing', I learnt a lot about people management, task delegation, time management, and working under pressure (although sometimes perceived...)
If you opt to become AP / SP etc. (in normal speak, this is like a team leader and assistant store manager), you are given a lot of responsibility. This is mostly good, but can be stressful.
Once you are full- or part-time, it is a stable job, the pay rate is good (and over time rates). Annual leave and sick leave entitlements for FT and PT.
I would recommend joining a larger store – more opportunities for shifts, particularly on weekends and late-night shopping days.
30% staff discount.
The challengesYou can hear and see from the video included on the UNIQLO company profile that it is as though the staff are speaking from a script...and they kind of are.
It is one thing to have a set of company values, goals, and a vision. It is another to bring these minutiae into the everyday lives of staff members in stores.
Favouritism is rife, and this comes from rigid standards. Unfortunately, I worked with one too many managers who did not trust some staff to complete tasks correctly, but without giving people the chance to improve or hear feedback. It was a one-and-done policy: you messed up once? We won't be asking you again.
I like to think that I strayed from this "philosophy", but I oftentimes felt pressured, or my decisions (e.g. asking Bob to do Task A) were overruled (yes, that was the extent).
Those in SP/AP and above often do overtime and it is expected to get tasks done before you leave (like any job) but often at the expense of work life balance.