5.0
Sep 3, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook
Pros
Nice environment, appreciated by the boss.
Cons
Face mask are required, customers are unhappy with kids in tow
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Bookends reviews
1.6
31% would recommend to a friend
18% positive business outlook
Reviews by job title
7 reviews
Sep 3, 2021
1.0
Jul 22, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook
Pros
The money is really good
Cons
Really long working hours. Negative reinforcement. Bad software. Watched on CCTV
Bookends Response
1yAlthough we have never had an employee with this title, we are happy to respond to the concerns raised in the review.
Contractual hours are always in line with the national average and within the administration roles, they are below the national average. Overtime is optional; it is hardly ever requested and is never enforced. If overtime is worked it is always paid. For the vast majority of the year, our premises are opened at approximately 8 a.m. and closed at approximately 6:00 p.m., therefore it is impossible to work excessive overtime.
The CCTV is primarily in place for security and shop theft purposes and not to monitor staff.
We are sad that the employee experienced reinforcement as negative. This is not something that we would want any employee to feel. We aim to nurture our employees to expand their skill set, helping them to be a valued member of the team.
We acknowledge that software can be challenging, especially as some of our software is provided by our external partners and, therefore beyond our control. However, as an ambitious and growing company, developments in our I.T., are continually forefront and ongoing.
2.0
Jan 26, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook
Pros
There is a staff discount. Nice location in Christchurch. Managers were thankful when we went above and beyond and expressed gratitude, and tried to make our work better. You are encouraged to make improvements if you can. Some of the people that work there are friendly, helpful and happy to explain things to you. Everyone is hardworking and wants to excel. You will be pushed to grow and develop your decision making.
Cons
At Bookends, everything is about the task at hand and there is no time to consider your needs as an individual. I felt little warmth or connection within the team and felt like a cog in the machine. There's not enough managers so you won't have regular 1-1s, which makes it difficult to discuss your progress and how you're finding things. In the time you do get to speak to management, it will primarily be about very task-specific concerns. Most tasks have been made hyper-efficient, which means everything must be done in a very specific way and can feel micro-managed. You are expected to be highly proactive, ask questions about every small deviation from process, and not make any assumptions in your work. There is no freedom to manage how you choose to do something. It is hard to feel any sense of responsibility when every step has already been laid out for you. Standards are extremely high and a lot is expected of you. Your thought processes and decisions you make will be interrogated. I was often given more tasks and expected to make time for it, which lead to an ever-increasing workload and feeling constantly under pressure. If you can't make time for your tasks you have to awkwardly ask your colleagues for help when you know they are just as busy as you. Mistakes will be discussed in front of others which makes you fear making mistakes, and creates a sense of mistrust and shame. I have overheard managers have very private conversations about performance or other staff members in the open.
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