Why does WSI make it so difficult for employees to enjoy their jobs? - Manager Pottery Barn Employee Review

2.0
12 Apr 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The stores and product are absolutely beautiful, it's wonderful to come to work everyday in such a nice environment, surround by such nice things, I genuinely feel that it has a positive impact on my mood. Additionally, the product is quality, we sell very few things that I wouldn't stand behind or purchase myself -- and better yet, we get a 40% employee discount on these beautiful things. The brand itself attracts a higher caliber customer and associate base, which weeds out a lot of the BS that retail MGRS have to deal with at mid and lower end retailers. Examples: Not as many LP issues, attendance / performance counseling issues with associates. With that comes snooty customers and entitled associates though, it's a give and take.

Cons

Having worked for a strongly structured and well run retailer in the past, I can confidently say, that this company is neither of those things. It seems to me that the majority of upper management has little to no idea as to how to successfully run this company. We go from one global issue to the next; supply chain, distribution centers, call centers, furniture deliveries, technology, training, etc. The company address theses issues as they come up by calling all managers together for a company wide conference call, with little notice, typically in the middle of the day. One of the many chiefs of the company hosts the call and spends the majority of the time apologizing for the fact that the stores have had to deal with the backlash of their mistakes. Then we are promised things will get better and told how "X" is going to change at the distribution centers and "Y" is going to be rolled out in terms of technology or training, yet there is never any follow through on these empty promises. The company jumps from one adgenda to the next, what doesn't matter one day is of utmost importance the next and vise versa. And yet again, no follow through. While one day it was important enough to waste an hour of everyone's time talking about on a conference call, the next day doesn't seem matter. It truly is sad that a company with such beautiful product and such a wonderful portfolio of brands makes it so difficult for it's employees to enjoy working for them. This company has so much potential, get your acts together and earn your paycheck and jet trips ladies.

Explore other reviews about Pottery Barn

5.0
19 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great team- great experience. It offered flexibility to try multiple roles.

Cons

As a seasonal hire it is mandatory to work holidays. As usually with most retail jobs. You must have weekend availability.

1.0
3 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Absolutely nothing. Don't waste your time

Cons

THE WORST COMPANY TO WORK FOR!!! AVOID. AVOID. AVOID. This place seems great on paper but is truly one of the worst companies I've ever worked for. If you are not ready to play the corporate game do not even bother. You will do great here if you love to suck up to leadership, want to be overworked with zero compensation or recognition, and are okay with ZERO work life balance. Words truly will never be enough to express how horrible this place is so I'm not even sure where to begin. Leadership is a joke and will only help you in your career if you're one of their favorites. The pay is laughable in general, let alone for the amount of work that is required of you. The systems and tools this company uses are ancient and so by the book, no amount of complaints will ever change the way they do things. The turnover is embarrassing, I saw a new face almost every single week. The office environment is so cliquey and catty. And the in person office requirements offer ZERO flexibility. If you need to be out of office for an hour doctor appointment, you have to use PTO. But the best part is, other departments in the company will be allowed to WFH, while Merch is held to such an extreme standard. One of my personal favorites was not being allowed to make eye contact or be seen by the CEO when she came to the office. That should tell you everything you need to know about this company. Overall, I beg everyone to think twice about working here. All of these things were a known thing around the office and I feel bad for those that stay and continue to subject themselves to such an environment. I mean it when I say 80% of people were miserable working here. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere, you'll thank me later.

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