Pros

Linens N Things was a fabulous place to work, if you didn't mind hard work.

Cons

Company was financially unstable and it effected the store levels tremendously.

Advice to Senior Management

Great job in supporting the store teams with positive and constructive advice and leadership.

Pros

You were able to advance quickly if you did a good job. There were a lot of good people and (especially in the early years of my employment) it was very much a family atmosphere. Everyone socialized and there were a lot of corporate activities that made it a lot of fun to come to work.

Cons

They went bankrupt. A really big downside. For the last few years under Apollo Management, there was no corporate diretion and the company did not invest and plan for the long term. The debt load taken on when they went private killed the company.

Advice to Senior Management

Good luck finding new jobs!

Pros

The best thing is that you get to see the latest trends of items for the home. I also like the fact that all of the "As Seen On TV" items were in the store. A lot of people were curious about those items. Before the company went bankrupt the employees had a good discount and could get items at a great price. The pay was pretty good for a cashier in my opinion. It was not that hard to help the customers find something they needed because the store was very organized all in all. It was a fun work place.

Cons

The company went bankrupt so I lost my job.

Advice to Senior Management

Try to spend money better.

Pros

Employee discount was good. Schedule was fair most of the time. Vacation policy was good. Training program was adequate.

Cons

Stores were ran on too little payroll. The freight process was overwhelming for most. Stores will be closed within two weeks.

Advice to Senior Management

Look at the long term instead of just this week or quarter. Listen to the people in the store more often for solutions to issues. Consider all employees as an asset and not a liability and make them feel that you really care about them.

Pros

Employee discount was good. Regional management was actually pretty good. Communication was good.

Cons

Obviously, this company has gone out of business. This was caused by the financial burden placed on them by private equity ownership and a lack of exciting new products offered in the stores. The stores were heavily overstocked in old goods and mark downs were not taken.

The stores were run pretty well. Store managers were experianced and know how to run a store. Customer service was good but payroll was cut badly at the end.

Advice to Senior Management

Senior Management (Apollo) got what they asked for. Hepefull, they were hurt financially just like the store personell.

Pros

No good reasons. This company's upper management put it out of business.

Cons

If you have a good manager, things go well for you. BUT-- the main reason this store failed is that they absolutely do not support their troops on the ground. I had a great fulltimer helping me run my 7 departments. He was-- by all accounts-- an above-average employee. When time came for raises, he got a 11 cent an hour raise. That is UNCONSCIONABLE.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay the people who actually do the work a fair living wage. Honor their commitment to their work.

Pros

There really isn't mush to say. Some of the employees @ the home office were great to work with, and the opportunity for movement in the organization were easy to take advantage of. Also, it was helpful to have a training center that allowed associates to take courses online on your own time or in a classroom setting with an trainer who was also a peer.

Cons

There was a lot that needed improvement. The structure was not one that encouraged consistency & information sharing. Often ideas to improve business were ignored and it's easy to get lost in a company where every department is treated like an independent entity with different standards.

Advice to Senior Management

Improved consistency in training and management style in the organization would have improved things.

Pros

Its a very Laid Back Atmosphere, if you keep your area clean and help customers then it was pretty much just the employees hanging out

Cons

Not a ton of business, so it was verrrrrrrry boring at times ... very boring. In the gadget room one wild child can ruin your entire day. so many little pieces make a lot of clean up at the end of each day. bedding and pillows was always fun because theres always a nice comfy spot to grab a book from the front and hide out till the end of your shift

Advice to Senior Management

certain managers were AWESOME, others not so much. It's nice to hear "good job" seeing as your bonus pretty much depends on us

Pros

25 percent disc on all purchases-management has some flexibility with time off during the week as they are required to work weekends. Tis works out great for making appointments

Cons

fluctuating schedule- number of payroll hours is constantly changing-very difficult to make employee schedule for week-corporate would tell you to reduce payroll for week even after employee schedule was posted. The average work week is 55-60 hrs-mgrs are required towork 3 of 4 weekends

Advice to Senior Management

Be aware of employee morale-burn out is killing your managers. Directives would come out requiring specific action and then the directive would be re issued and mgrs would have to redo the work. Their work week is long enough without having to go back and due something twice.