Toxic corporate culture and poor progression - Product Design Marks & Spencer Employee Review

1.0
Mar 20, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

20% staff discount Working flexibility (job-share, hybrid/remote) Espresso machine in office

Cons

Some people in upper management have extremely poor work life balance (regularly working till 10 PM at night) and similarly expect their reports to put their jobs above all else. Had my teams status monitored to make sure I was working at all times, even though M&S prides itself on being a supportive flexible environment. Was not allowed to take medical appointment leave without being made to feel bad and forced to make up hours at night. No sick pay for first 6 months either, which no one ever tells you. Poor pay and benefits relative to the market and impossible to progress. Senior management got on a call with 30 people in my department and admitted they did not know how people could get promoted or given a pay rise. Office is outdated and constantly crowded, but it won't be with people you work with. Little to no social events. Pointless mandatory training sessions that you are forced to sign up for that have nothing to do with your job

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5.0
Aug 5, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I love how positive the working environment

Cons

I dont like some of the names of the bread

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Marks & Spencer Response
11mo
Hi there, thanks so much for leaving such a great review – it’s lovely to hear that you enjoyed working for us! We're so grateful for your kind words, so thanks for sharing your review with us and the Glassdoor community. Our success relies on the dedication of employees like yourself, so we thank you for all your hard work! Wishing you all the best, Marks and Spencer
1.0
Jul 27, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-20% discount -I must enter 5 words

Cons

Never before have I worked for a company where the threat of gross misconduct is thrown around constantly by management. Senior members of staff have been given wrriten warnings over sudden changes in policy. Instead of carrot and stick you're just given the stick. A sudden change in policy comes in and immediately a TM or TSM will tell you "if you can't do this you will recieve a written warning or disciplinary." That is a best case scenario, the alternative is nobody tells you and you continue to do everything as normal and you get punished for an absolute absence of communication. Regional managers pressure Store Managers to hand out punishments like quotas. Worst of all, the company promotes immature and lazy managers for the most part, who will happily stand around doing absolutely nothing, but drive workers aged 60+ like a cart horse. Sorting basic worker's rights like annual leave is a chore to them, and they act as though they are doing you a favour when you do the bare minimum. Favouritism in my store is endemic. Not all managers are like this, my store manager just happens to like a handful of staff and puts down everyone else.

2
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Marks & Spencer Response
11mo
Thanks for raising your concerns. We're really sorry to hear you’re unhappy and we want you to know that at M&S, we care deeply about doing the right thing and acting with integrity, building trust, supporting one another and taking the time to listen. You have already addressed the first step of voicing your views on here, and now we encourage you to talk to your Line Manager. If you feel you cannot approach your Line Manager, then tell a more senior person or someone who you feel most at ease with, for example your BIG rep or your HR Business Partner. Thanks again for sharing, - Marks and Spencer
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