Marks & Spencer reviews

Some people in upper management have extremely poor work life balance (regularly working till 10 PM at night) and similarly expect their reports to put their jobs above all else. Had my teams status monitored to make sure I was working at all times, even though M&S prides itself on being a supportive flexible environment. Was not allowed to take medical appointment leave without being made to feel bad and forced to make up hours at night. No sick pay for first 6 months either, which no one ever tells you. Poor pay and benefits relative to the market and impossible to progress. Senior management got on a call with 30 people in my department and admitted they did not know how people could get promoted or given a pay rise. Office is outdated and constantly crowded, but it won't be with people you work with. Little to no social events. Pointless mandatory training sessions that you are forced to sign up for that have nothing to do with your job

Hierarchical, bully culture that has made the most out of the pandemic by demanding over and beyond what is acceptable from a work perspective (working weekends, very long hours and interrupted during holidays as standard). 'We're lucky to have jobs' was repeated in a number of ways from bosses and seemed seriously inappropriate considering the personal stresses a lot of the employees have been under. M&S Food in my experience is not a nice place to work and the unpleasant work culture comes from the top and works its way down the chain. It's such a shame as it is a company filled with fantastic, smart, hardworking people who are passionate about their jobs but this is taken advantage of in many areas.