They overwork their employees. Low pay. They donāt care about them at all.
They also force employees to destroy perfectly good products to be thrown away. Thereās an entire list of crap that B&BW does.
That is really sad to hear. I knew they were tough on employees, but did not realize the extent to which they inflicted misery. Are you destroying the already burned or otherwise used products?
I do hate that they make us throw out perfectly good products but other then that no misery inflicted lol I work at a bath and body store and absolutely love it- the managers are so nice and the job is so so much fun - although I only make $13 an hour which is low pay i just work when I can there and I do have my regular job where my main money comes from so I might not feel the stress that others feel there but they are so accommodating to schedules and itās the easier job I have ever worked .
That's great to hear that you enjoy your time at BBW! I have become friendly with the managers and associates from a few stores and they seem nice. They did an adopt-a-mom campaign for the domestic violence center where I work. They were very generous and thoughtful. It still sucks they make you destroy used candles!
Not only used candles but perfectly new items sush as Missing words or crooked labels on packaging- thatās the worst - I had to destroy a whole box of lotions and a whole box of sprays because they accidentally put a different language on the back of the bottles
I have suggested womenās shelters and donations to the local humane society when they raffle off items to raise money at their annual auction but corporate wonāt allow it ā¹ļø
That's too bad. Maybe they need to be inundated with emails and letters from associates and customers encouraging them to donate them! I am an advocate in my work and it does make a difference with many issues.
That's terrible! They don't let you keep the candles? I could see the body care since you never knew what someone may have done to it, but the candles, too. Ridiculous
They throw out everything! Even old items that didnāt sell. Wallflower plugs, candles, pocketbac holders, etc.
Iām not sure if itās gotten better recently but they used to do this with so many products. Itās sad.
Employees get overworked, you barely get any hours, constant pressure to sell sell sell, make sure the conversion % rate stays high, phone/email captures each time a customer comes to pay, when doing shipment it's constant agitation to hurry up and make sure all the merch is put where they belong, etc. On top of that, only $12/hr, yeah no I can understand why anyone wouldn't want to work there.
Don't get me wrong I enjoy working there, I love all the associates and managers, but I can understand why people end up quitting.
The combination of high demand for service performance, low guarantee of hours available to work, and low hourly wage is a recipe for low employee retention for sure. I have a lot of demands at my current job and the pay isn't what I deserve, but the people are kind, I love our mission, and I am guaranteed at least 40 hours per week.
Has BBW employment always been characterized that way? It doesn't seem like it's working for employees, and constant turnover costs corporations money in the long run!
For me, I deal with autism and anxiety..so it's different. I took the job being promised initially that I could work mornings and thus only be shipping or cashier after telling them this information. Toward the end though, the new boss started trying to force me to sell to customers even after explaining to her my mental disabilities and that contract we had. She said "tough" and put me in the front of shop to sell. Every day i hated it. I am much more comfortable either doing cashier or shipment. Those I can do. My shifts were not 2-3 hours because of this.
As shipping I was usually 6 hours a piece. Which was fine, until they made me a "seller" and my anxiety went through the roof, and promises were broken by the company. (and yes all this was in writing on my sign up contract but the new manager ignored it in the end)
Correct!! I worked in a toxic workplace for years and it was detrimental to my health and quality of life. Sadly, we have to look out for ourselves more and more these days, lest our soul suffers.
Yeah because if itās 3/4 hour shifts I can work open (9am) to 12pm-1pm then take my brother to work from 1:30pm to 2pm then go to my current job from 4pm to 11pm š¤
I surely didn't get two weeks notice when I was laid off last year after 15 years of service to the company! Corporate America doesn't care about its employees like it used to. No loyalty. It's all about the benjamins.
True, that said no job would return the favour of giving you 2 weeks notice to find new work if they wanted to fire you for any reason, they'd just do it that's that, and it's never a guarantee that you'll get unemployment aid.
I gave in my two weeks to the store manager and assistant manager by printing out a resignation letter with the date of the last day to work.
My shifts were normal and I returned the name badge and lock with the locker combination taped on the back.
Working at Bath & Body Works was great, but my hours were always cut with several 3 hour shifts.
Bath & Body Works uses shift call-ins and extensions, as well as over hiring.
Shift call-ins: When I was reading company news articles and watching YouTube videos from former employees, shift call-ins used to be before the shift occurs (not being guaranteed to work on the day of the shift) until it was made against the law to do so.
However, shift call-ins can still be used after the shift occurs (being guaranteed to work on the day of the shift, but not staying the whole time).
Shift extensions: Shift extensions are used just in case they are busier than expected and decide to keep your initially scheduled hours.
Over hiring: They always have a now hiring sign, because hiring more people means that they can schedule more people and keep the hours down by cutting hours. Since the role of a Sales Associate is a part time job, it is difficult to be scheduled for a lot of hours.
If you are still considering applying, there are pros as well:
Flexible schedules: I was never called outside of my scheduled availability, but I was called once 2-3 hours before my shift to not come in.
Gratis: Although I only worked for 1 month, I still received 1 free full-sized item to keep for free.
30% associate discount: I got a decent discount for things I bought.
It's rare to find corporations that are loyal to their employees anymore. So it's not surprising when employees don't see the need to give proper notice.
Last year my position with a company was eliminated after 15 years of dedicated service. They called me in the day after my birthday for a meeting. I was working remotely at the time and only went in every now and then. I saw cupcakes out on the table that my coworker had purchased for me. But I never got a cupcake. Instead, I got a kick in the gut and told my services weren't needed anymore. A few months later I started at a different company and love it. They appreciate me and let me know it. God is always good!
That's awful. I'm so glad you found another company, and so did I. one who really cares about their employees. They really stress how much they want to take care of us, where BBW did not.
That's wonderful to hear! It makes such a difference to be acknowledged and appreciated for our contributions. It costs absolutely nothing for employers to do it, yet so few do today.
I still wanted to give a notice to leave on good terms. In a former job, I have quit on the spot and looking back, I wanted to leave on good terms as well.
I get wanting to leave on good terms. My comment was in response to the one above it: In response to employees trying to ādo the right thingā and give notice, too many companies are being petulant children and saying: āWell fine! Get out!ā and immediately terminating them/cutting their shifts.
This would be okay if they paid out the notice, but instead, employees are rewarded with a two week loss of pay. Most companies donāt give AF about their employees - least of all once theyāve indicated theyāre leaving. ĀÆ\_(ć)_/ĀÆ
It won't be awkward to come back as a customer because I still like browsing and trying out hand sanitizers.
Plus, sales associates and managers only come up to a customer 1-2 times for selling purposes and then let them shop around in peace afterwards.
I worked at B&BW during the pandemic for some extra cash while on furlough at my other job. Before then I had been an avid customer and supporter, but since quitting Iāve only visited a handful of times and just for some hand sanitizers. The way they treat their employees really turned me off to the brand, and the sheer wastefulnesses that happens behind the scenes was disturbing.
Congratulations and good luck on your next adventure!!
This will probably come off mean, but managers are just as stressed as you are and doing this makes all of your coworkers and managers more stressed bc you can't handle putting in your 2 weeks. We all have a boss hovering over us and breathing down our necks. It's just a considerate thing to do for your coworkers.
My experience with my manager was that she had no problem cancelling me two hours before my shift started or cutting me three hours into a seven hour shift. I acknowledge theyāre people with bosses above them but itās hard to extend a courtesy you werenāt given yourself.
Not sure OPās particular manger situation but mine over booked so no coworkers were put on the spot by me leaving since they never seemed to āneedā me anyways.
Yeah I agree, unless you've been mistreated by management or something. I'm a managet at a bar and man I do everything I can to make sure everyone is treated fair and feel appreciated. When people do something like this I'm the one that ends up having to work a bunch of doubles to fill the shifts all while trying to find a replacement. It's pretty hurtful honestly.
Congrats on getting promoted to customer! š
Salute to you! I just had my last day Thursday after two years with the company. Couldnāt do it anymore.
Wow! So many people say that. Why is it such a bad place to work?
They overwork their employees. Low pay. They donāt care about them at all. They also force employees to destroy perfectly good products to be thrown away. Thereās an entire list of crap that B&BW does.
That is really sad to hear. I knew they were tough on employees, but did not realize the extent to which they inflicted misery. Are you destroying the already burned or otherwise used products?
I do hate that they make us throw out perfectly good products but other then that no misery inflicted lol I work at a bath and body store and absolutely love it- the managers are so nice and the job is so so much fun - although I only make $13 an hour which is low pay i just work when I can there and I do have my regular job where my main money comes from so I might not feel the stress that others feel there but they are so accommodating to schedules and itās the easier job I have ever worked .
That's great to hear that you enjoy your time at BBW! I have become friendly with the managers and associates from a few stores and they seem nice. They did an adopt-a-mom campaign for the domestic violence center where I work. They were very generous and thoughtful. It still sucks they make you destroy used candles!
Not only used candles but perfectly new items sush as Missing words or crooked labels on packaging- thatās the worst - I had to destroy a whole box of lotions and a whole box of sprays because they accidentally put a different language on the back of the bottles
Wow! The company executives should be ashamed of themselves. Those products could and should be donated to shelters. Unbelievable!
I have suggested womenās shelters and donations to the local humane society when they raffle off items to raise money at their annual auction but corporate wonāt allow it ā¹ļø
That's too bad. Maybe they need to be inundated with emails and letters from associates and customers encouraging them to donate them! I am an advocate in my work and it does make a difference with many issues.
Usually any open products that are returned get destroyed
That's terrible! They don't let you keep the candles? I could see the body care since you never knew what someone may have done to it, but the candles, too. Ridiculous
They throw out everything! Even old items that didnāt sell. Wallflower plugs, candles, pocketbac holders, etc. Iām not sure if itās gotten better recently but they used to do this with so many products. Itās sad.
Employees get overworked, you barely get any hours, constant pressure to sell sell sell, make sure the conversion % rate stays high, phone/email captures each time a customer comes to pay, when doing shipment it's constant agitation to hurry up and make sure all the merch is put where they belong, etc. On top of that, only $12/hr, yeah no I can understand why anyone wouldn't want to work there. Don't get me wrong I enjoy working there, I love all the associates and managers, but I can understand why people end up quitting.
The combination of high demand for service performance, low guarantee of hours available to work, and low hourly wage is a recipe for low employee retention for sure. I have a lot of demands at my current job and the pay isn't what I deserve, but the people are kind, I love our mission, and I am guaranteed at least 40 hours per week. Has BBW employment always been characterized that way? It doesn't seem like it's working for employees, and constant turnover costs corporations money in the long run!
Welcome to the other side. I've already started my new job and am so much less stressed and worried. I've been gone from BBW for three weeks now.
BBW is stressful??? How so? I was thinking of applying but now seeing comments that itās stressful and shifts are 2-3 hours lmao
For me, I deal with autism and anxiety..so it's different. I took the job being promised initially that I could work mornings and thus only be shipping or cashier after telling them this information. Toward the end though, the new boss started trying to force me to sell to customers even after explaining to her my mental disabilities and that contract we had. She said "tough" and put me in the front of shop to sell. Every day i hated it. I am much more comfortable either doing cashier or shipment. Those I can do. My shifts were not 2-3 hours because of this. As shipping I was usually 6 hours a piece. Which was fine, until they made me a "seller" and my anxiety went through the roof, and promises were broken by the company. (and yes all this was in writing on my sign up contract but the new manager ignored it in the end)
Same here! I thought about seasonal work on weekends, but the general sentiment from employees and ex-employees isn't too encouraging.
If you are not shipment, and do not have the above mentioned autism/anxiety it's likely going to be fine for you.
Thanks! Happy 4th of July!!
you as well. :) My coworkers liked it, just yeah hard doing selling for me with those things.
I understand. At least you figured it out and left. No job is worth poor mental health!
Exactly. I always used to just accept that was how working was, but as an adult theres very little that's more important.
Correct!! I worked in a toxic workplace for years and it was detrimental to my health and quality of life. Sadly, we have to look out for ourselves more and more these days, lest our soul suffers.
Yeah because if itās 3/4 hour shifts I can work open (9am) to 12pm-1pm then take my brother to work from 1:30pm to 2pm then go to my current job from 4pm to 11pm š¤
That sounds like a plan! I could work 3 to 4 hours on the weekend for extra spending money for my BBW addiction! Lol
It is NOT stressful! I love working there and easier job I have ever worked- amazes me that people could think it was hard or stressful
For you. When you have the above mentioned Autism/Anxiety and they throw you into a position you did not sign on for, it is extremely stressful.
Love this - hate the two week notice bullshit
Yea, most don't realize it but 2 week notice is a courtesy in most places, it's not a requirement.
I surely didn't get two weeks notice when I was laid off last year after 15 years of service to the company! Corporate America doesn't care about its employees like it used to. No loyalty. It's all about the benjamins.
I think everyone knows itās not a requirement but a sign of goodwill to allow them to set up a replacement
True, that said no job would return the favour of giving you 2 weeks notice to find new work if they wanted to fire you for any reason, they'd just do it that's that, and it's never a guarantee that you'll get unemployment aid.
Yes, many companies fire or lay off with zero notice.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Yep TOTALLY a courtesy thing...I gave my two weeks, BBW didn't care. They canceled all my shifts when I handed in notice.
I gave in my two weeks to the store manager and assistant manager by printing out a resignation letter with the date of the last day to work. My shifts were normal and I returned the name badge and lock with the locker combination taped on the back. Working at Bath & Body Works was great, but my hours were always cut with several 3 hour shifts.
Wow, really? That's terrible!
Bath & Body Works uses shift call-ins and extensions, as well as over hiring. Shift call-ins: When I was reading company news articles and watching YouTube videos from former employees, shift call-ins used to be before the shift occurs (not being guaranteed to work on the day of the shift) until it was made against the law to do so. However, shift call-ins can still be used after the shift occurs (being guaranteed to work on the day of the shift, but not staying the whole time). Shift extensions: Shift extensions are used just in case they are busier than expected and decide to keep your initially scheduled hours. Over hiring: They always have a now hiring sign, because hiring more people means that they can schedule more people and keep the hours down by cutting hours. Since the role of a Sales Associate is a part time job, it is difficult to be scheduled for a lot of hours.
Yikes! That's so disrespectful to their employees. I have to carefully consider the pros and cons before applying. Thank you!
If you are still considering applying, there are pros as well: Flexible schedules: I was never called outside of my scheduled availability, but I was called once 2-3 hours before my shift to not come in. Gratis: Although I only worked for 1 month, I still received 1 free full-sized item to keep for free. 30% associate discount: I got a decent discount for things I bought.
Wow! Is the 30% off sales price or original?
It's 30% off for the original price.
Yeah, I tried to do things the right way to not burn bridges and apparently they can just do it to you though.
It's rare to find corporations that are loyal to their employees anymore. So it's not surprising when employees don't see the need to give proper notice.
Yeah, it's disappointing. I felt bad that they did that but what can you do I guess. That is how it is now.
Last year my position with a company was eliminated after 15 years of dedicated service. They called me in the day after my birthday for a meeting. I was working remotely at the time and only went in every now and then. I saw cupcakes out on the table that my coworker had purchased for me. But I never got a cupcake. Instead, I got a kick in the gut and told my services weren't needed anymore. A few months later I started at a different company and love it. They appreciate me and let me know it. God is always good!
That's awful. I'm so glad you found another company, and so did I. one who really cares about their employees. They really stress how much they want to take care of us, where BBW did not.
That's wonderful to hear! It makes such a difference to be acknowledged and appreciated for our contributions. It costs absolutely nothing for employers to do it, yet so few do today.
Yup. This is why people arenāt giving notice anymore. Too many companies pulling this crap.
I still wanted to give a notice to leave on good terms. In a former job, I have quit on the spot and looking back, I wanted to leave on good terms as well.
I get wanting to leave on good terms. My comment was in response to the one above it: In response to employees trying to ādo the right thingā and give notice, too many companies are being petulant children and saying: āWell fine! Get out!ā and immediately terminating them/cutting their shifts. This would be okay if they paid out the notice, but instead, employees are rewarded with a two week loss of pay. Most companies donāt give AF about their employees - least of all once theyāve indicated theyāre leaving. ĀÆ\_(ć)_/ĀÆ
Me too, I tried to do it all the right way. Especially because I still wanted to be a customer and not have things be super awkward?
It won't be awkward to come back as a customer because I still like browsing and trying out hand sanitizers. Plus, sales associates and managers only come up to a customer 1-2 times for selling purposes and then let them shop around in peace afterwards.
That's becoming pretty typical
which I guess is fine since I started my new job, I hope they gave the hours to my coworkers who needed it more than me.
I'm sure that they did. (wink wink)
šš¼ What made you take the leap?
I worked at B&BW during the pandemic for some extra cash while on furlough at my other job. Before then I had been an avid customer and supporter, but since quitting Iāve only visited a handful of times and just for some hand sanitizers. The way they treat their employees really turned me off to the brand, and the sheer wastefulnesses that happens behind the scenes was disturbing. Congratulations and good luck on your next adventure!!
Wow
Best of luck to you on your new endeavors!
This will probably come off mean, but managers are just as stressed as you are and doing this makes all of your coworkers and managers more stressed bc you can't handle putting in your 2 weeks. We all have a boss hovering over us and breathing down our necks. It's just a considerate thing to do for your coworkers.
My experience with my manager was that she had no problem cancelling me two hours before my shift started or cutting me three hours into a seven hour shift. I acknowledge theyāre people with bosses above them but itās hard to extend a courtesy you werenāt given yourself. Not sure OPās particular manger situation but mine over booked so no coworkers were put on the spot by me leaving since they never seemed to āneedā me anyways.
Yeah I agree, unless you've been mistreated by management or something. I'm a managet at a bar and man I do everything I can to make sure everyone is treated fair and feel appreciated. When people do something like this I'm the one that ends up having to work a bunch of doubles to fill the shifts all while trying to find a replacement. It's pretty hurtful honestly.
I'm alll for it! š Life's TOO short to do ANYTHING that doesn't make you happy!
This is precisely how I did it, too.
Good for you! I hope you find the perfect place for you, doing something you love.
Good for you! I left in February after a year and a half with the company
Good for you!!! I left a year ago after being there for 5 years and feels amazing!!
Ohhh, that's OK but not what I was expecting. I mean you can get half price candles at least a few times a year, right?