Pottery Barn Employee Review

Current Employee – been working at Pottery Barn

Pros – fantastic discount, fast-paced, 90% of the product is great quality, i have learned many things, I have become a jack of all trades but a master of none

Cons – Let me tell you what people first really means at pbk. When i first started with the company I was young, single, flexible, and had the ability to travel. i worked countless hours in other states preparing stores for corporate visits because lets be honest even though we are supposed to be visit ready everyday we still spend a ridiculous amount of time preparing for a visit that may only last 30 minutes if you are lucky enough to have that much time dedicated to you and your team. At one point I worked on visuals in 3 different stores in 2 different states in one day. One trip I worked 10 16 hour shifts in a row, paid out of my own pocket for gas, tolls, food, a deposit on the room, for myself and another manager and was never reimbursed because somehow my expense report didnt make it to appropriate person by the end of the quarter.
Now I have children. I understand that I have chosen to make retail my career and I am not complaining about working weekends or closing shifts. I have been forced to continue to put my job before my family. There is absolutely no way to have a balance between home and work when you are employed by this company. I understand that there are times we are required to work over 40 hours, but every single week? I never get out of work on time. My children suffer while the life is sucked out of me at work. I am all about working hard and staying busy, but I did not apply to be a painter, carpenter, or contorsionist (yes if you had to set our windows you would understand). Most companies hire someone to paint. And while I'm talking about painting please explain to me why higher volume stores have contractors come paint while we waste payroll $ that could be spent during business hours to better serve clients and allow for associates to take breaks. There is always more tasks, more responsibilities, and more stuff to do and less and less hours to do it in. And when you choose to make client focus your number one priority and forego completing floorsets and visual updates you get documented. More and more team members are leaving. This company is losing valuable associates because they feel unappreciated, over worked, and under paid. Now our "People First" company wants to be open all holidays. They feel its the right thing to do for our clients. What about the people who make the company what it is, what about the people that make the money for our company? Is this the right thing to do for us? I am looking to leave, I need to do the right thing for my family and remaining here is not the right thing. When I applied for this job, no let me go back when I chose to have a career in retail even prior to working here I had no idea that I was essential personnel. I am not a police officer, doctor, nurse, emt, or firefighter so why do I have to kiss my children goodbye on easter?
I'm sure you wonder have I spoke up, have I stuck up for myself and my team. The answer is no and do you want to know why? Because the open door policy is a joke. The ability to remain annonymous is a joke. I have been witness to a district manager telling a GM who called HR on her. That associate was forced out. And this was not due to productivity, it was due to the GM being pissed off at her. I have been forced to worked on requests off that were approved. I have read reviews and I must tell you that I do not think it would matter who the GM was or how skilled the management team in each building was things are not going to change. In order to be successful with this company you have to be single, no children, work very hard for little money, change your schedule at the drop of a dime, put on a fake face, train and develop yourself, suck it up, keep your mouth shut, never take vacations, and live and die for your job. Hows that for people first?

Advice to Senior Management – Work a holiday, hang a shelf, and pick up a paint brush. Thats the day I will change my feelings.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend