Awful - Customer Assistant Lidl Employee Review

1.0
Jul 23, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fairly good level of pay in comparison to other supermarkets (yet not when the minimum wage rises soon, as well as the amount of work expected), staff can be pleasant to work with.

Cons

1. Dreadful treatment of staff. There are horror stories, too many to mention, but staff are largely considered to be a 'bundle of hours', regardless of your plans/commitments/children. Expect calls on days off where the manager truly believes you will come in to work a 10 hour shift. Rotas change without your knowledge and managers will try to make you work illegal shifts such as working until 10pm at night and then 5am the next day. Don't expect a word of thanks or gratitude either; that simply is not how Lidl works. 2. No real career progression. Yes, you may well be offered a Duty Manager role but this is a phoney title which offers very little extra pay in return for an awful lot of extra work. Additionally, at this level you will be expected to do almost anything 'for the cause'. To progress from this level takes years. 3. Levels of work. You won't believe the guidelines for what we are expected to do within a time frame, it's actually hilarious. I have NEVER managed to complete tasks within their time frame (and surprisingly I've never really been reprimanded for it either) and I suspect that management know this but it's a tactic to try and force what little more they can out of you. Those staff which are generally slower than others (I count myself amongst these people) are, depending on their status, often ridiculed. Oh, and just because you work harder doesn't mean you'll get more hours. After completing tasks, management may deem you expendable for the day and send you home. 4. Upper management look straight through you. You don't even register. 5. Monthly newsletters, competitions, induction days all point to a company with you in mind, but that is a fig leaf, quickly and rudely removed.

Explore other reviews about Lidl

5.0
Oct 27, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible schedule and good pay for the work

Cons

Hard labor that involves being fit

3.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are excellent, most people at the peer level are great. Clear performance expectations. Decent cross functional communication

Cons

Company leadership very European and doesn't quite understand the American consumer even after being in the US so long. Unreasonable expectations are the norm. No upward mobility unless you are European or speak fluent German.

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