Co-op reviews

Lone working, which is expected to increase from 3 hours to longer (only for management). The safety equipment for lone working rarely works efficiently, leading to phone calls from security on days off. Deliveries are meant to work around this, sometimes they are late which means you are having to drag it in, as well as serving customers and approving age related sales. Issues with sourcing equipment to enable the store to run efficiently, e.g. kickstools. I would have stayed in my current role if expectations didn’t keep rising; it’s giving off ‘greed’. Hours are being cut back to the point the store managers are struggling to meet contracted hours for all staff. I must add that my store manager has been amazing, he is an absolute credit to the coop, as is the rest of the team. Even the area manager is super understanding, which is a rarity.

Racism and passive discrimination are alive—but wear a smile. If you’re an international employee, prepare to be othered, misunderstood, and left to “figure it out.” A culture of silence, not support. When I went through personal crises—including loss and illness—I was met with coldness, not compassion. I was still expected to perform, respond, and complete tasks sent after 5PM with no regard for my mental state. Management is emotionally immature and retaliatory. Instead of supporting you, they’ll discipline you for not suffering silently. Cultural insensitivity and microaggressions were constant—and tolerated. Managers are protected, not held accountable. My manager displayed toxic, emotionally immature behaviour, consistently retaliating and manipulating power dynamics. Even when formally flagged, nothing changed. Zero support during personal crises. Your mental health will be treated as an inconvenience, not a human reality There were four formal HR cases in four years—and all were brushed under the rug. ( Not to mention “Let’s brush under the rug” was the exact phrase mentioned by the higher up management. SLOW CLAPS for you sir) “Values” are posters on a wall. Not behaviour in meetings. Co-op talks about inclusion, but when it matters? Silence. HR prioritises the company’s image, not employee safety. I raised valid concerns about behaviour, mental health, and bullying—yet I was the one who got suspended after resigning. Not for misconduct, but for daring to tell the truth. That speaks volumes about who they choose to protect. Toxic managers are protected. Period. Especially if you’re the one pointing out what’s wrong. There is no system for change. Even something like GSCOP, which is meant to ensure fairness across operations, seems to be performative at best. Where is the system for escalating behavioural red flags when managers cross lines repeatedly? Leadership hides behind values it doesn’t practice. Co-op speaks of fairness, inclusion, and community. But in reality? Control is prioritised over care, performance over people, and image over accountability. Gifted luxury gifts to my manager out of respect & I got a £3 box of Maltesers in return as my farewell gift. That sums up the emotional imbalance here and sheer hate. Not to mention about the pain of buying those chocolates as my last words shared with her! If you’re young, ambitious, or different in any way—you’ll be seen as a threat, not talent.