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Reply 1
Yes, I got paid £6.00 an hour for the induction. It's really easy. The videos they show you are quite funny though.
I just finished my 2 day induction today and our group were one of the first groups in the country to use the new customer assistant training that they're using now - so hopefully this will be the most up to date summary to help people who are having their induction soon 
In terms of what to wear, smart casual seems best. One person turned up in jeans and a hoodie but the rest of us generally wore smart trousers with a blouse and cardigan or something like that. Also bring a packed lunch because in the staff canteen they operate by a swipe card system which you have to put cash on so you won't be able to buy anything unless you go into town. The day lasts from 9am - 4pm and you get a lunch of about half an hour and a mini break in the morning too. Here's a more detailed look at what we did each day:
On the first day the 4 of us signed in at customer service and we were taken to the training room. M&S employ someone to be a qualified coach who are especially trained to teach customer assistants everything they need to know for the role which was fab. We introduced ourselves to each other and then watched a bunch of videos about M&S, what makes great customer service, fire safety etc. and discussed them as we went along. We also got given the new books which have lots of info and we had to do a few group exercises and fill in bits in the book. We then got taught how to correctly lift and move boxes/rails and had a talk about health and safety and fire extinguishers etc. before being taken on a tour around the shop floors as well as "behind the scenes" so store room, staff canteen and where to swipe in and out every day. Then you get a half an hour or so lunch then carry on watching videos and play a board game answering questions about what you've learnt. Then we got given our uniforms that we'd requested the sizes for at our interviews and our locker key as well. It felt like a really long and tiring day but it was really informative and taught us a lot.
The second day involved watching more videos in the morning on the company's attitudes towards sexism/racism/disability in the workplace and we filled in more things in the booklet. Then we got told a lot about when and how to ID someone and other stuff like that. Then we got taught how to use the till on a training till still in the training room and we all got to have a go doing all the different things (putting through items paid for by cash/card/vouchers, refunds, exchanges, discounts, deleting items etc) which takes a while to get hang of, but the tills are really useful to use and if you need help on the store floor you just press a bell to get help from someone nearby. After lunch we got taken to the store floor that we're hired to work on and had a go at the tills and shop floor for an hour to an hour and a half. I was soooo nervous to begin with, could barely get my words out and sort of handed over their change and receipts and bags in the wrong order/jumbled up/all at the same time haha but they make sure you're with someone who can give you pointers and help you get comfortable with everything. One thing M&S seem to be really good with is keeping conversation with the customer and although I'm smiley and friendly I can find small talk a bit hard or awkward especially if the customer is a bit grumpy or doesn't say much back. But it just takes practise. I made a mistake when a customer used a store card but the manager explained to me what you do in that situation so now I know for next time. Then I spent a few minutes shadowing someone around the shoe section and they described the ranges to me. Then by 3.30pm we all went back to the training room and discussed how it went, filled out a couple more pages, signed anything else that needed signing and then learnt about how to use the YPP (your personal payment I think) system which you can use to look at the rota online and book overtime slots and holidays, and how to use the swipe cards for getting into the building and before/after shifts, although like with us this can take a few days from the induction before they're ready for use.
All in all it was a very informative and helpful experience - I would much rather have the 2 day induction than be thrown in at the deep end straight away - and you get paid for it as well which is great. Working on the tills and shopfloor was really nerve racking and there a lot of things I have yet to perfect but I'm glad I had that head start before my first proper shift starts in 3 days time. The coach was brilliant and the staff seem nice enough to approach if you're having problems with anything. I can't wait till I'm more confident with everything and get into the swing of things better. M&S seem to be a truly wonderful company to work for and I already feel proud to be a part of it. Good luck to anyone new!
In terms of what to wear, smart casual seems best. One person turned up in jeans and a hoodie but the rest of us generally wore smart trousers with a blouse and cardigan or something like that. Also bring a packed lunch because in the staff canteen they operate by a swipe card system which you have to put cash on so you won't be able to buy anything unless you go into town. The day lasts from 9am - 4pm and you get a lunch of about half an hour and a mini break in the morning too. Here's a more detailed look at what we did each day:
On the first day the 4 of us signed in at customer service and we were taken to the training room. M&S employ someone to be a qualified coach who are especially trained to teach customer assistants everything they need to know for the role which was fab. We introduced ourselves to each other and then watched a bunch of videos about M&S, what makes great customer service, fire safety etc. and discussed them as we went along. We also got given the new books which have lots of info and we had to do a few group exercises and fill in bits in the book. We then got taught how to correctly lift and move boxes/rails and had a talk about health and safety and fire extinguishers etc. before being taken on a tour around the shop floors as well as "behind the scenes" so store room, staff canteen and where to swipe in and out every day. Then you get a half an hour or so lunch then carry on watching videos and play a board game answering questions about what you've learnt. Then we got given our uniforms that we'd requested the sizes for at our interviews and our locker key as well. It felt like a really long and tiring day but it was really informative and taught us a lot.
The second day involved watching more videos in the morning on the company's attitudes towards sexism/racism/disability in the workplace and we filled in more things in the booklet. Then we got told a lot about when and how to ID someone and other stuff like that. Then we got taught how to use the till on a training till still in the training room and we all got to have a go doing all the different things (putting through items paid for by cash/card/vouchers, refunds, exchanges, discounts, deleting items etc) which takes a while to get hang of, but the tills are really useful to use and if you need help on the store floor you just press a bell to get help from someone nearby. After lunch we got taken to the store floor that we're hired to work on and had a go at the tills and shop floor for an hour to an hour and a half. I was soooo nervous to begin with, could barely get my words out and sort of handed over their change and receipts and bags in the wrong order/jumbled up/all at the same time haha but they make sure you're with someone who can give you pointers and help you get comfortable with everything. One thing M&S seem to be really good with is keeping conversation with the customer and although I'm smiley and friendly I can find small talk a bit hard or awkward especially if the customer is a bit grumpy or doesn't say much back. But it just takes practise. I made a mistake when a customer used a store card but the manager explained to me what you do in that situation so now I know for next time. Then I spent a few minutes shadowing someone around the shoe section and they described the ranges to me. Then by 3.30pm we all went back to the training room and discussed how it went, filled out a couple more pages, signed anything else that needed signing and then learnt about how to use the YPP (your personal payment I think) system which you can use to look at the rota online and book overtime slots and holidays, and how to use the swipe cards for getting into the building and before/after shifts, although like with us this can take a few days from the induction before they're ready for use.
All in all it was a very informative and helpful experience - I would much rather have the 2 day induction than be thrown in at the deep end straight away - and you get paid for it as well which is great. Working on the tills and shopfloor was really nerve racking and there a lot of things I have yet to perfect but I'm glad I had that head start before my first proper shift starts in 3 days time. The coach was brilliant and the staff seem nice enough to approach if you're having problems with anything. I can't wait till I'm more confident with everything and get into the swing of things better. M&S seem to be a truly wonderful company to work for and I already feel proud to be a part of it. Good luck to anyone new!
Reply 5
You should have been asked about them, I only got the job a week ago and when you gave all the documents over they should have asked what size you were. However, I assume you won't need you uniform at induction day, as the lady told me too still dress smart. The induction days is literally where (apparently) you sit in a room and they put videos on, talk to you and then you write notes. It's the training in which you need your uniform for and where you will be going around the shop.
Reply 6
Thank you sooooo much. I have induction tomorrow and found your words VERY reasuring xxxx
Reply 7
I have an induction day on Friday, IJust want to know because I'm working in a station at marks and Spencer's I have to do a hot protocol test, how was it?
Reply 8
I’ve just got a job at M and S. Do you get paid for the induction? Also any advice for the till stuff?
Original post by MilenaKaterina
I’ve just got a job at M and S. Do you get paid for the induction? Also any advice for the till stuff?
Hi Milena - I've just had my induction day at M&S and I believe you do get paid for it. Rate of pay for Trainee Customer Assistants is £8 per hr, and goes up to £8.75 once qualified. I was asked to go in for the day and I was on my own. I think usually they try to have a few new recruits all in doing it together to save time, but I'd been hired a few days later so it was just me on the day. I was given a key card for getting in and out of the staff area, a locker key, handbook etc. A lot of the time was spent watching training videos on the computer, fire safety, compliance 25 etc. A few mini tests in between that you have to pass (you can re take if you don't, it's not an issue!) I was then given a full tour of the store and all the fire exits, etc. I was asked to wander around the store for 15 minutes and make a note of where everything was, toilets, baby changing, fitting rooms, schlepping bins etc, and had to recite it all back to my manager. It was all really easy, basic stuff so don't worry. It did feel like a long day, as you're retaining lots of info and my head was spinning by the end of it.
I was asked what size I was for uniform, and if I'd prefer trousers, dress etc. I think it takes a couple of days to come into store so should be there for my first shift.
Strangely I wasn't given any time on the shop floor, so no till experience at all or any real expectation of what my first shift will be like. I was given a handbook to read at home which supposedly teaches you how to use the till so I'm guessing I'll just be shadowing my colleagues on my first shift and helping where I can. I don't think you'll be expected to man a till on your own straight away so don't worry.
Good luck
Reply 11
Do M&S send an email confirming the dates of your induction? I filled out all the stuff online (bank account details, references etc) but I haven’t gotten an email saying the dates of my training.
Hello! I realise all the comments in this feed are very old. I've got a Marks and Spencers induction this week. I'm wearing smart black trousers, top and shoes. I'm looking forward to the induction day. Does anyone know what happens regarding uniform. I already have smart black school like trousers - so hope I get to wear them during the job. Does anyone know what the uniform sizes are like? I don't like things too fitted.
Original post by aboib
Hello! I realise all the comments in this feed are very old. I've got a Marks and Spencers induction this week. I'm wearing smart black trousers, top and shoes. I'm looking forward to the induction day. Does anyone know what happens regarding uniform. I already have smart black school like trousers - so hope I get to wear them during the job. Does anyone know what the uniform sizes are like? I don't like things too fitted.
I had mine yesterday and most people wore all black although a few didn't and it wasn't a big deal. I assume they asked you for your uniform sizes at the interview? That's what happened to all of us anyway. Most of us received our uniforms yesterday but some didn't so if that happens to you then you just wear all black on your first proper day. I got my uniform - I am in womenswear so got a navy padded jacket (you've probably seen it already if you have been to a shop), I ordered a size 8 and it was a good fit, not tight or anything but a bit long on the arms but that always happens to me. I got a polo shirt too in a size 8 and I think they must all be slim fit because I was worried it would be too big but it was actually quite small. I got pants too and they're alright, not tight fitting. I would say the sizes and fits are quite similar to regular M&S clothes. I got given 3 face masks too though haven't had chance to try one on yet. Also don't be surprised if there are technical issues in your induction because we all had to log in to something on our phones so we could say we'd completed health and safety stuff but for a lot of people it didn't work so we had to go on the computers but it took ages as there were only about 3 available! And we are meant to be using Microsoft Teams to communicate but no one can log in. Apart from that the induction was quite good, a bit boring admittedly but we got to have a go pretending to buy socks on the tills lol
Original post by Lynz1983
I am due to start this week did the recruitment team ring to tell you when your induction was or was it the store? Thanks
I was asked at the end of the interview which day I would like to do the induction on
Original post by hughezy
I had mine yesterday and most people wore all black although a few didn't and it wasn't a big deal. I assume they asked you for your uniform sizes at the interview? That's what happened to all of us anyway. Most of us received our uniforms yesterday but some didn't so if that happens to you then you just wear all black on your first proper day. I got my uniform - I am in womenswear so got a navy padded jacket (you've probably seen it already if you have been to a shop), I ordered a size 8 and it was a good fit, not tight or anything but a bit long on the arms but that always happens to me. I got a polo shirt too in a size 8 and I think they must all be slim fit because I was worried it would be too big but it was actually quite small. I got pants too and they're alright, not tight fitting. I would say the sizes and fits are quite similar to regular M&S clothes. I got given 3 face masks too though haven't had chance to try one on yet. Also don't be surprised if there are technical issues in your induction because we all had to log in to something on our phones so we could say we'd completed health and safety stuff but for a lot of people it didn't work so we had to go on the computers but it took ages as there were only about 3 available! And we are meant to be using Microsoft Teams to communicate but no one can log in. Apart from that the induction was quite good, a bit boring admittedly but we got to have a go pretending to buy socks on the tills lol
Hey! So since my last post I've been working at Marks for a week now. I received my uniform in time for my first shift. I was one of the only ones from my induction day to start as nobody else had their full details on the system. I've worked 35 hours in a week, although my contract is only 20 ... which is fine by me as I wanted overtime. Everyone has been really friendly and I now feel like I've been in the job forever! I also have the same issue regarding microsoft teams, someone was meant to help me get onto it - but I'm still not on it.
Original post by aboib
Hey! So since my last post I've been working at Marks for a week now. I received my uniform in time for my first shift. I was one of the only ones from my induction day to start as nobody else had their full details on the system. I've worked 35 hours in a week, although my contract is only 20 ... which is fine by me as I wanted overtime. Everyone has been really friendly and I now feel like I've been in the job forever! I also have the same issue regarding microsoft teams, someone was meant to help me get onto it - but I'm still not on it.
I'm glad you like it - I've been doing it for 2 weeks now and absolutely love it!! I am really hoping they extend my contract because I love working here, great colleagues and MOST of the customers are alright too! My Microsoft Teams issue has resolved now, I was going to ask them to help me on my first day but I just kept trying to log in and eventually it let me do it (originally it was asking for a code which was sent to my outlook inbox which was inaccessible but it stopped asking), apart from your shifts though there's not a lot of super important stuff on there, a lot has been about staff Xmas lunch and just stuff like that. Just be aware if you can't log in to check your shifts with your manager because I was meant to be doing weekends only with my final day being Boxing Day, but my M&S is shut then and the other day they rescheduled my final shift to be the 21st Dec and I only found out from Teams. Also have you got your staff discount yet? I've been asking about mine but apparently the cards haven't arrived yet which is a bit annoying as most people said theirs took about 6 weeks to come and if they don't extend my contract I probably won't get it.
Original post by Lynz1983
I am due to start this week did the recruitment team ring to tell you when your induction was or was it the store? Thanks
Hey, can I ask happened with this? I’m in the same boat, meant to start this week and no sign of when my induction is. All I can find is general store number so I might have to chance that if I don’t hear by tomorrow.
Reply 19
Original post by meg_2002
Hey, can I ask happened with this? I’m in the same boat, meant to start this week and no sign of when my induction is. All I can find is general store number so I might have to chance that if I don’t hear by tomorrow.
If you have their number email or call up. You can usually find the contact details on their website.
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