Exploitative Managers and Shady Contracts
Pros
Most of the lower-level employees are decent folk, and if you work on the shop floor you're likely to connect with the local neighbourhood. Once or twice a year, some of the local suppliers (not management) might personally gift staff with some tasters for new products.
Cons
It's extremely common for local managers to ignore their own duties, such as demanding workers work out their own holidays and even sick leave (!) between themselves. The company frequently sends e-mails stressing the importance of covid regulations and staff mental health, but the higher-ranked staff frequently scream and berate their employees, and time off was not provided if your vaccine appointment fell during your working hours. I genuinely can't say that I felt respected or valued at any point; no matter how closely you follow management instruction, you are only ever given feedback on what was wrong, and extra work done or tasks accomplished to a high standard are completely ignored. As a result, hard work is not valued and most employees are forced to put all their effort into appearances to save themselves the effort and inevitable scolding. Finally, I cannot understate how corrupt the management's dealings with employees are. The contract is vague and does not define your working hours, which allows the management to demand you show up to any shift regardless of notice given or of your own circumstances. If the managers personally don't like you or decide they can't abuse their power over you, they will literally create a hostile work environment to try and force you out, or otherwise try to get you into some sort of trouble. This is so well known that I received this warning while still a till assistant, and I know of at least one employee who was forced to quit by an openly hostile manager. Overall, an extremely stressful and hostile work environment unless you're a part-time till person who can stay away from the job most of the week.
