Pros
Good discount, varied workday, progression is encouraged, and there is a mostly good community amongst salesfloor staff.
Cons
Management are not your friends, despite their desperation to seem so, and too many of them know too little about policy & the practicalities of day-to-day running depts. Commercial managers are particularly out of touch. Policies are increasingly punitive, particularly towards disabled staff who require accommodations or absence. Lots of casual racism, classism, and transphobia on the salesfloor at all levels, which goes unchallenged despite M&S claiming a steadfast commitment to diversity. Known culture of managers sexually harassing & seeking sexual relationships with new, young staff they have power over. During pregnancy I was unofficially warned about time off work (official absence policy is waived, because pregnancy is an ongoing medical issue) and upon applying for a transfer during maternity leave was told by my potential new store “well, we’d really prefer to hire someone who doesn’t have the commitment of a small baby at home” which is illegal. In 2018-2019 I witnessed multiple violations of the Equality Act towards customers, and three different managers attempted to intimidate me into dropping my complaint. Join Usdaw — they’re not recognised by M&S but you can still receive rep support & advice, including having a rep present in meetings. You likely WILL need their support at some point.
