Windsor Smith
Write a review
    Windsor Smith
    (61 reviews)
    Write a review
    Write a review

    Company Reviews

    Working at Windsor Smith

    1.861 ratings in total
    5
    6
    4
    2
    3
    6
    2
    7
    1
    40
    85%
    Rate salary as high or average
    15%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    2.0(61 ratings)
    Career development
    1.6(60 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    1.5(60 ratings)
    Management
    1.7(61 ratings)
    Working environment
    2.0(60 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    1.8(60 ratings)
    Ratings for Windsor Smith are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 61 reviews sorted by most recent
    Sort by
    most recent
    1.0
    Sales Role
    Mar 2026
    Miranda NSW 2228Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Not a good experience, and would strongly advise staying away from working here.
    The good thingsThe staff were friendly and nice
    The challengesFrom my experience i got let go after 3 days with no valid good reason, even though I tried my best serving customers and Visual merchandising. Before getting let go, I was told that I was not following their expectations, and head management advised to let me go. I was confused as to how the head managment know i was working what times. I also applied for a casual position, but was given shifts like I was working full-time.
    1.0
    Casual retail assistant
    Feb 2026
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Work literally anywhere else !
    The good thingsMost staff were nice some good friendships made mostly from bonding over bad treatment.
    The challengesIt can be confidently said that the business owners do not know the first thing about what it takes to run a successful and healthy business. Staff are constantly under surveillance through cameras and micromanaged this is an example of oppressive management and furthermore shows the lack of understanding the owners have on integrity and the importance that has in building a successful business. Windsor Smith refuses to employ any store managers as they would rather underpay their full timers and give them the responsibility load of a manager which places strain on workplace power dynamics and relationships. This is no shock as this business continues to reward toxic behaviour between their employees; higher management will often speak unprofessionally with employees about other employees. It is in Windsor Smiths best interest to wake up to themselves and treat their employees with respect as the overall trend in their sales says more about their policies then it does their employees.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales Assistant
    Feb 2026
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Awful, would not recommend
    The good thingsSome of the staff, the cluster manager was pretty good too seeing as she was having to oversee 5 stores of a failing company
    The challengesThe company as a whole just need to go fully online as the staff turnover is so high within their stores. And having seen how they treat their store employees, I’m not surprised staff are moving on to better opportunities. The returns policy (if you can even call it that) is awful and I felt horrible having to explain to customers that I had to take photos of their clearly faulty shoes and send them off to head office just to wait forever for approval to do a refund. Faulty shoes were extremely common due to the poor quality of the shoes. I think, had the younger brother not taken over the company, this would be a better place to work and the shoes would still be the great quality they once were. Also, when I applied, they had a staff discount listed in the job ad, which ended up being misleading as there ended up being no staff discount.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Oct 2025
    Broadbeach QLD 4218Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Working at Windsor Smith was an overwhelming and toxic experience with poor management.
    The good thingsI enjoyed the people I worked with and the retail experience.
    The challengesOne of the biggest challenges at Windsor Smith was the poor management and lack of support from upper staff. The store was constantly short-staffed, which made every shift stressful and overwhelming. It was also completely normalised for the owner and management to speak to employees disrespectfully, creating a toxic and demoralising environment. There was no work–life balance, no real appreciation for staff efforts, and not even an employee discount to make up for the pressure and negativity. Overall, it was an unhealthy workplace with very little respect for its employees.
    4 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Key Holder
    Jul 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30002 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    Great team, bad business structure
    The good thingsEveryone I worked with daily and most of the HO team were gems to work with. The job itself is not particularly difficult on the day to say.
    The challengesWorking around the company policy is incredibly difficult and it needs a restructure. Some business choices feel like they are made on a whim rather than actually being researched and thought out. For casuals, rosters can be unpredictable when they feel like hiring new people, can go from 20 hours to 4 with in a week. Training was almost non-existent when I started but this is improving atleast.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Jul 2025
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Micromanaged & constantly criticised, would not recommend
    The good thingsOther staff members. Jobs weren't too hard just a lot to remember
    The challengesI started this job as I wanted something different not realising till after I started how high the turnover rate was. I had 3 and a bit days of training, a lot to remember but wasn't too hard till I was made to be alone for the first time on my 6th day. I was alone more then I had someone with me. Got into trouble for ridiculous things like kneeling, cleaning at night instead of the morning, shoes not being perfectly aligned, finding an odd pair (blamed for this odd pair yet I had never sold it before), talking in passing of the other full time member. Upper management were terrible, the way the owners talk to you over email is crazy, you get attacked for a shoe being out of place or for kneeling when you unpack stock. You are constantly watched on the cameras and criticised for everything you do. I quit after 2 months even with no job lined up, wanted to quit before they fired me for no reason.
    6 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales Assistant
    Nov 2024
    Adelaide SA 5000
    Disgusting how staff are treated
    The good thingsThe staff I worked with were incredible, absolute rays of sunshine and created an outside of work relationship which made the job bearable.
    The challengesHead Office - got fired without even being a given a reason why or warning. Mind you this is two weeks before my probation period has ended and I do the work that a manager would do and more. Bent over backward to make sure their store ran smoothly and it did, only for it to backfire - I wish them luck trying to find someone that’ll run their store without actually getting paid to do so. I know in my mind I did nothing wrong to deserve this. They need to realise there are real people out there in the world with real problems - we LEGALLY deserve reasons and explanations if we have done something wrong.
    17 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales Assistant
    Nov 2024
    Adelaide SA 5000Less than 1 year in the role
    amazing staff made it bearable but wouldn’t wish this workplace on my worst enemy
    The good thingsthe staff i worked with were amazing and hard working people
    The challengesmanagement and head office are absolutely horrible to their staff, will sit there and do nothing but watch you on the cameras, and repeatedly threaten your job. Are known for firing staff right before their probation ends.
    7 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales Assistant
    Sep 2024
    Rundle Mall SA 5000
    Wouldn't work here even if I was desperate.
    The good thingsLoved my co-workers, all were lovely and I could play my own music I guess...
    The challengesDealing with management and the director. Always working alone, even when I shouldn't. Always being micromanaged and watched on the cameras. No discount. Forced to be push sales to people rather than creating a good experience. Would rather eat my own foot than work here again.
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Key Holder
    Nov 2023
    Adelaide SA 5000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Will never go back even if I was offered a lot of money.
    The good thingsMade a genuine friend through working here.
    The challengesMicromanaged, always watching through cameras, no management in-store. Visual merchandising is more important than customers, had to take photos of displays every Wednesday and Sunday. Not allowed to take photos prior to those days and had to be done mid day no later. Not allowed to give coworkers their schedule will be seen as giving away company information will be threatened by head office. Always working on our own, sometimes even during big sales periods. Commission near impossible to make. Pay is average not worth the stress.
    17 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales
    Apr 2023
    Haymarket NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role
    Overall underwhelming experience
    The good thingsThe flexibility in hours
    The challengesDiscourteous in-store management
    6 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Store Manager
    Jul 2022
    former employee
    Don't recommend, avoid at all costs.
    The good thingsThe team i worked with instore
    The challengesManagement, head office
    7 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Analyst
    Nov 2021
    Very interesting company to work for, felt like you were back in high school , no use of personal phones and when your absent from work they want a medical certificate every time even if you leave work early . I wasn’t use to being Micromanaged and unable to do my job.
    The good thingsFriendly colleagues to work with .
    The challengesFelt like I couldn’t do my job because everything is so micromanaged by the Directors. Trust issues , which affects you actually doing your job .
    14 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    Nov 2021
    Very criticize workplace never praised when doing a good job, very understaffed , and the high turn over in staff speaks for itself . Discounts pretty decent apart from only allowed to use on selected styles . Very happy I no longer work for the company
    The good things- staff members you work with - discounts
    The challenges- always criticized and never praised when you do a good job - head office (management) the way they speak to you through email . Unprofessional - high turn over in staff in store and at head office , speaks volumes - understaffed
    12 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Assistant Store Manager
    Jun 2021
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Loved working for Windsor Smith !
    The good thingsThere’s plenty of opportunity to grow within the company, I started off as a casual and worked my way up to an assistant manager role. I had a lot of support, guidance and learnt skills that I’ll be able to take with me in the future. I loved all the people I got to work with and have made life long friends.
    The challengesSometimes working alone can be difficult. Weekly VM can be a bit tricky some weeks as some stores aren’t the same as the guide given out so can be a little bit stressful to try and work out placement.
    3 people found this helpful
    2.0
    sales assistant
    Jan 2021
    Less than 1 year in the role
    difficult work life
    The good thingscustomer connection
    The challengesworking with in store and head office management to better customer experience, balancing requested shifts with home life balance,
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Administration Role
    Nov 2020
    Wouldn’t recommend working there
    The good thingsNon management people are awesome
    The challengesManagement don’t care
    6 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Key holder
    Oct 2020
    Stressful and overwhelming. Couldn’t pay me enough to go back.
    The good thingsCan be good for learning basic administrative skills, but don’t expect anyone to teach you. You have to teach yourself essentially.
    The challengesEverything. You have billions of things to do that you’re expected to do all on your own. They watch you through the cameras and pick at even the smallest things despite having received almost zero training. I worked with someone for 2 days and then was expected to run the store entirely on my own perfectly. Management is awful, with no consideration for their employees. It’s not worth it at all. You’re hired as a casual and expected to act as a manager without the training or benefits.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Casual Keyholder
    Sep 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Even if I was desperate for a job, I would NEVER EVER work here
    The good thingsThe other sales assistants. You create a bond from how badly you get treated.
    The challengesPossibly the WORST upper management I have ever dealt with. You make a mistake, and it's like the end of the world - no training will be given to help you learn and progress. Working by yourself most of the time and they except you to finish all stock boxes, keep stock room neat, make sure shoes are all aligned properly and serve customers.
    11 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Store Manager
    Apr 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great company!
    The good thingsBusy store. Always something to do. Not boring.
    The challengesChristmas period. Realllyyy busy!
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Lackluster and underwhelming.
    The good thingsSome colleagues made it worthwhile.
    The challengesA standard retail job, however the company makes you feel so valueless there's little to no point committing much else.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Sales Assistant
    Mar 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    My experience working at Windsor Smith was horrible.
    The good thingsThere is nothing good about working here.
    The challengesEverything is a challenge.
    4 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Sales Assistant
    Feb 2020
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Overall enjoyed my time there. Would recommend.
    The good thingsAwesome team and super friendly customers!
    The challengesSome long hours working by yourself - but some people don't mind that!
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Casual Retail Assistant
    Jan 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Only good thing was the other casuals working there other than that this company needs to sort out its management BIG TIME
    The good thingsOther casual staff were great
    The challengesDealing with awful management, very unprofessional. Don't care about you one single bit. You don't even get a staff discount like they say on the contract.
    11 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Casual Employee
    Nov 2019
    Messy management
    The good thingsThe customers & casual workers Styles of shoes
    The challengesManagement & Head Office The products quality was getting worse & worse.
    2 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Sales Assistant
    Nov 2019
    Nothing but a number
    The good thingsWorked with a great team in in-store.
    The challengesManagement has NO consideration for their hard working employees.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    Nov 2019
    Very unprofessional work environment
    The good thingsVery tough work environment Management is really unprofessional
    The challengesUnfair work ethics , tough management No job satisfaction
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Retail Sales Assistant
    Nov 2019
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Dreadful, the worst experience I have ever had working in retail, and ever other person working with me have all said the same thing.
    The good thingsEasy to learn most things that are required of you to do
    The challengesTraining isn’t present at all. Area managers just expect you to know and learn everything within your first couple of shifts and if you don’t keep to their ridiculous standards they cut your shifts, but don’t bother to train you.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    full time employee
    Nov 2019
    Nice on paper but not worth the stress
    The good thingsOther staff members can be nice
    The challengesDealing with upper manageement is difficult all of the time
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Store Manager
    Sep 2019
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I hated going to work
    The good thingsNothing all they care about is money and not the staff or customers
    The challengesNothing all they care about is money and not the staff or customers
    1 person found this helpful
    Company Reviews published on our site are the views and opinions of their authors and do not represent the views and opinions of SEEK or its personnel. SEEK does not verify the truth or accuracy of any reviews and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted. SEEK posts reviews for what they are worth and for informational purposes only to assist candidates to find employment.
    Reviews by location
    All Adelaide SAAll Gold Coast QLDAll Melbourne VICAll Sydney NSW