Unprofessional Head Office Management - Administrative Assistant Beauty Base Employee Review

1.0
18 Feb 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Huge range of beauty products - Attractive prices on sale - Very talented and hard working staff in office - Extremely polite and helpful towards customers

Cons

- So much is expected of you but very little given in return. - No matter how hard you work in office, sooner or later you will hear from your employer that you are lazy and worthless. Happened twice to everyone while I was there. - 'The company' have no respect for staff. - Management are having lunch in big and bright meeting room, while staff can only use small, 2x2m dusty room with no windows and ventilation. Room in which all old documents and toxic washing liquids are stored. - 'Top Dog' is also PR, HR, and god knows who else. She got so much on her head that she can’t cope with all of it and sometimes gives her job to other staff even though no one else is qualified to do it. She also forget simple things and requests that other staff is asking her for. - When staff is trying to book a day off, it’s one big problem. You will always listen to comments that no one can do this or that, go on this or other day. It’s just ridiculous. - 'The Heads' often asks staff to do something and then forgets about it. They are surprised that someone did something without their authorisation as they are forgetful. - Management is talking behind the back of others while standing in the middle of the room, next to staff! Are you aware of the fact that your employees are not deaf ? - You must BEG to get contract, as they don’t want to give it straight away. Usually, you will get it after few months of asking for it several times. - One member of staff was accused of STEALING because she did shopping together with her friend who already got office discount. While she was unaware of roughly £1 saving, Management accused her and did very stressful interrogation. - There is an atmosphere of fear in the office.

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1.0
22 Oct 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

• Some team members were genuinely kind and supportive. • A few colleagues helped create a positive atmosphere despite poor management.

Cons

• Zero-hour contracts with minimum pay. • No benefits at all. • Severe favouritism from management: schedules, flexibility, and recognition depended entirely on personal relationships, not performance. • Unprofessional behaviour from management — overly polite to upper management but dismissive, sarcastic, or intimidating toward staff. • Hygiene and cost-cutting were constant issues. Cleaning was usually done with free press & plain water only, as management refused to buy proper cleaning products. Hand soap was rarely available, and staff were told to use public toilets instead of the one reserved for management. • Staff were encouraged to use old, discarded wrapping materials from other stores to “save money,” and were even restricted on how much tape they could use when wrapping gifts. • To save further costs, staff were sometimes encouraged to take complimentary promotional items (for example, pens from local banks) instead of purchasing proper supplies. • During busy seasons, employees were instructed to monitor customers in uncomfortable ways, which many found unethical and discriminatory. • Occasionally, products that appeared slightly used or past date were put back on the shelves on full price. • The so-called “Christmas bonus” was made up of leftover free tester samples from suppliers — nothing of real value. • Senior management (owners) rarely acknowledged staff and showed little respect or appreciation for their efforts. Pay & Treatment After hard working over 1.5 years and performing supervisory duties, I asked for a pay review. The request was repeatedly ignored. When I asked to speak directly with senior management, I was told that they “do not meet with employees.” Shortly after, I experienced increased scrutiny and hostility. I was called into an unannounced meeting and questioned about minor attendance issues and personal information in front of another staff member who was told to take notes. This felt invasive and inappropriate. Later, HR held a disciplinary call in an area offering no privacy, despite my request for a confidential meeting. The entire process was intimidating and left me anxious and affected my mental and physical health, including experiencing panic symptoms while at work.

1.0
2 Jul 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

No pros at all asonly to make you work hard so they could get there commission and talk to you like a child . When you’re a full grown adult doesn’t matter if you’re a manager . Really doesn’t mean anything . So entitled . You can still speak to me in a good way .

Cons

And make really bad comments about people . Totally unprofessional in a work environment especially if your a manager.

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