[a12]

iv applied their for xmas temps and after reading a lot of the threads and replies on tsr the majority of people have said how much they hate working ther.

Anyone have any reason? and is it really that bad?

[Undiscovery]

Apparantly they are really bad with breaks for their employees. I know someone who is a temp there at the moment and hates it also.

[StarsAreFixed]

I've known quite a few people who worked there- as christmas temps, as permanent part-time and permanent flexi, and they all hated it- in about 3 or 4 various stores. Most common reasons are bad management- minimum wage (most high store outlets pay more than it!)- being told an hour before your shift ends that all staff must stay on an extra 2 hours- horrible bitchy atmosphere and a fondness for keeping staff all hours after the shop closes in general. Every day when I'm walking from work to the busstop, the staff in River Island are still working...and they usually close earlier than us. They don't seem to tidy when the shop is open at all!

[ceebeegeebee]

I had my 1st shift there today - the manager didnt know who I was, and I was left to dump my stuff on the floor, with no locker.
I still dont have a uniform, and was given about 20mins training by another retail assistant, as the manager was too busy, before being left on my own, not really knowing what to do.
I found everyone there really intimidating and clique-y, and working 4 hours straight without a break for having a quick drink or going to the toilet was hell. I felt so ill after leaving and ended up in tears when I got home - Im sure its not this bad in all stores, but from my experience the management and lack of respect for staff was terrible.

[missk100]

what river island was this ??

[x_thekitten_x]

LOL.

I'm actually officially resigning tomorrow after working at River Island part time for nearly two and a half years.

- Worked in a central London branch and the rate was £5.70... Everywhere else is at least £6!
- Used to work SIX HOUR SHIFTS STRAIGHT. No breaks. Not even toilet, drink or a sit-down.
- I've fainted TWICE in the job... Both of which the supervisors/managers didn't give a flying f*ck about.
- You never leave on time. So if you finish at 7pm, its actually 7:30pm. Oh and if you finish early they'll cut your pay, but if you stay an extra 30 mins they won't give you extra pay.

Its so easy to get a job there, mainly because people constantly leave.

My advice? DON'T WORK THERE!

Most slave-driven job, EVER.

[Boreism]

(Original post by a12)
iv applied their for xmas temps and after reading a lot of the threads and replies on tsr the majority of people have said how much they hate working ther.

Anyone have any reason? and is it really that bad?

Well I applied for a job there online and I always been offered an interview.

I had to turn them down because of the hours.

[TUMZINE]

I was actually rejected for one store but then accepted for another two, I really do want to work there not afraid of hard work, because it'll give me retail experience and I can use it to move up. Are there any perks to the job? I.e employee discounts, free oyster cards or something?

Does anyone know how to get a job at H&M?

Oh and for people who want less work for more pay, there's always hollister and A&F they pay at least £6.50, and you don't do anything but stand around ocaissonally talk to customers and fold clothes. You don't need any experience to be hired there.

[JadePxx]

I work in river island and have done so for the last 2 months and i love it!!!

[ilukan]

(Original post by JadePxx)
I work in river island and have done so for the last 2 months and i love it!!!

Im a xmas temp at River Island. Do u kno if they keep their xmas temps after the contract has ended?

Thanks in advance.

[itsmyname]

They may do, so i've heard, if u impress the managers

I know someone that worked there and hated it too. The wages rate seems terrible!

[SiaSiaSia]

(Original post by ceebeegeebee)
I had my 1st shift there today - the manager didnt know who I was, and I was left to dump my stuff on the floor, with no locker.
I still dont have a uniform, and was given about 20mins training by another retail assistant, as the manager was too busy, before being left on my own, not really knowing what to do.
I found everyone there really intimidating and clique-y, and working 4 hours straight without a break for having a quick drink or going to the toilet was hell. I felt so ill after leaving and ended up in tears when I got home - Im sure its not this bad in all stores, but from my experience the management and lack of respect for staff was terrible.

Oh that sounds horrible I hope it gets better soon, I remember in my first job I'd work 6 hours without a break at the worst times (i.e. 7-3 [no break!] friday, 7.30-1.30 saturday/sunday, 7-2 [no break!] mondays... I was so exhausted but I got used to it). Try and make friends with the staff, as soon as you do the environment is soooo much better and they will try and help you too

[sofee]

christmas isthe WORST time to be a river island employee, the year before last i was working till 11pm christmas eve and i was back at 8 or 9am boxing day

[Coda]

(Original post by a12)
iv applied their for xmas temps and after reading a lot of the threads and replies on tsr the majority of people have said how much they hate working ther.

Anyone have any reason? and is it really that bad?

Low pay. Work in clothing stores is generally quite crap. You just walk around, putting clothes on rails, or scanning barcodes. At least you get to be around nice looking clothes, and listen to music. RI is also quite a busy store, so the public can get on your nerves.

[Polly1101]

(Original post by TUMZINE)
I was actually rejected for one store but then accepted for another two, I really do want to work there not afraid of hard work, because it'll give me retail experience and I can use it to move up. Are there any perks to the job? I.e employee discounts, free oyster cards or something?

Does anyone know how to get a job at H&M?

Oh and for people who want less work for more pay, there's always hollister and A&F they pay at least £6.50, and you don't do anything but stand around ocaissonally talk to customers and fold clothes. You don't need any experience to be hired there.

Hollister is £6 an hour, and isn't all that rosy either. Yes the models do stand around and fold clothes, but the store does get SO messed up as barely any items are on hangers. The night staff come in and have to refold EVERYTHING using fold boards, which can take them until 3am some nights, and they can't leave until it is done.
And if you are an 'impact' team member, you are in the store room, pulling clothes to restock shelves, steaming them and folding them, then wandering round the store among all the people to try and find where they belong. Then there is sorting through the deliveries and putting on all the security tags.

Not to mention the loud music, how hot it is, how strange it is to work in a dark store, and come out and it be sunny, how rammed the store always is, and the people that go there. Plus the pretentious-ness of the other staff.

So yer, i didn't stay there long haha

[xixixaxa]

(Original post by sofee)
christmas isthe WORST time to be a river island employee, the year before last i was working till 11pm christmas eve and i was back at 8 or 9am boxing day

Hey! Can you tell me which store it was?

Thanks )) xx

[Schroedinger's Pandora]

My old housemate worked at the River Island in Sheffield Fargate, and she always got upset about the apparent relentless bitchiness, bad wages and long hours without breaks. I hope I NEVER have to work in retail, it's appalling.

[katyness]

hmm.. Im going to apply today if it's easy to get

[microfatcat]

(Original post by JadePxx)
I work in river island and have done so for the last 2 months and i love it!!!

Thanks, this makes me feel happier :P

[imabigboynow]

Worst place to work ever.