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Original poster

Tell me what is good about working for Waitrose.

21 replies

LaBelleDameSansPatience · 15/01/2014 15:45

DH really really sick of working in education ... applying for part time jobs in a new Waitrose to be built locally.

Makes me rather sad ... but on the practical side, could there be good things about it? He is in his 50's - will they even be interested? Are they a good employer?

OP posts:
EldonAve · 15/01/2014 15:51

Staff discount
Profit share - last year I think ppl got a 17% bonus

ashInTheAttic · 15/01/2014 17:29

A couple of relatives work for JL. Apparently the downside is that you do get the odd rude / entitled customer, but in general it's a nice place to work and you get plenty of perks, e.g. staff discount, profit share, subsidised holidays, and discounts on random things like tickets to the theatre and National Trust properties.

halfthesize · 15/01/2014 17:38

I have just started working for waitrose and so far am loving the job. Its very different to my previous job as a banker in Barclays(very stressful). After a 4 year career break/having 3rd child I needed to go back to work.

Ive been with them for nearly 3 months now and love it, partners are so nice, management very approachable, benefits fantastic and we all have alot of fun. I can honestly say so far I am convinced this has been a brilliant decision for me and my family. Partners are from all different stages in their life's, school, young families to grandparents. Most are on part time contracts, but lots of overtime if wanted Grin

AntoinetteCosway · 15/01/2014 17:51

One of my friends is a manager. Maybe your DH could apply for the management scheme if he's a teaching professional? He's probably got a lot of transferable skills. She loves it.

fedupandtired · 15/01/2014 18:02

My sister works for John Lewis and does all her shopping at Waitrose thanks to her staff discount.

catsrus · 16/01/2014 10:34

you own the company so get to share in the profits Grin

Cezzieb · 16/01/2014 10:45

I work for Waitrose and love it. On maternity leave and missing it like crazy (both the customers and my fellow partners) Joined just over 3 years ago at a new build store (I've already been trained up to,be a cheese and deli specialist.) The good thing about a new store is nearly all the partners are new and starting from the beginning so everyone learns at the same time (if that makes sense). There's so many different positions so be open minded.

The benefits are amazing BUT you do have to work for the partnership for 3 months before you get them so don't thinks you'll be getting money off your shopping straight away. Also,depending on when the store opens you'll get a share of the bonus depending how long you've worked for the partnership (again I hope this makes sense).

All in all I'd say go for it

Original poster
LaBelleDameSansPatience · 16/01/2014 19:09

This sounds so positive ... I was really depressed at the idea.

OP posts:
TheFutureSupremeRulersMum · 16/01/2014 19:51

You're not an employee, you're a partner.

Staff discount.

MrsCosmopilite · 16/01/2014 19:55

When I've finished my Masters (or rather, when writing my thesis) I'll be job-hunting, and hoping Waitrose will have some hours that'll suit me.

Our local has lovely staff, they seem genuinely happy to work there.

shelley72 · 16/01/2014 20:02

I'd like to work for waitrose, being one of the people that do the grocery shopping. I'd love that.

broccolirocks · 16/01/2014 20:05

Y

willyoulistentome · 16/01/2014 20:09

We have a huge newish Waitrose in the town near us that I hope my y6 son will go to in Sept. I hate my current job but it pays well and I can do relatively child friendly hours. I've been wondering about a career change too. How do you go about applying to JL I mean finding out what jobs there are available in your local shop?

Meglet · 16/01/2014 20:14

We're hopefully getting a waitrose in the next 18 months (planning meeting any day now I believe). I've been wondering about applying for them, I'm ace at customer service. Not sure about the hours though as I can't work weekends.

Cezzieb · 16/01/2014 21:34

All job vacancies are on the website. If you go in store and ask they'll just say that unfortunately. If it's a new store it's worth checking fairly regularly because the jobs will be snapped up (and sometimes the cut off date may be reduced to reduce number of applications). If it's a older store it's worth just going online to see if they're recruiting.

I think management positions are advertised slightly differently but I'm not management so I'm not sure about that sorry Grin

I hope this helps???

Original poster
LaBelleDameSansPatience · 21/01/2014 18:35

Thanks for all your info .... DH filling in application as I write ... any good ideas for reason for leaving full-time job in education? (Obviously not the truth, that the management is vindictive, incompetent and crap and the students a nightmare ...)

OP posts:
ThoughtFox · 22/01/2014 08:13

I think he could simply say something along the lines of after X years in education, he's looking for something different, but still wants to have a lot of contact with the public, which was the part of his old job that he enjoyed most.

Frankly, the recruiters will probably read between the lines anyway, but he needs to show that he genuinely wants to work for Waitrose, not that he'll do anything to get out of the classroom.

Original poster
LaBelleDameSansPatience · 25/01/2014 07:38

I like that idea ... thank you, ThoughtFox.

OP posts:
returningtowork · 03/08/2017 20:13

Hi, I am encouraged by all the great comments about working for Waitrose so I have a applied for a job there. I have a Group Assessment soon, apparently this lasts 2 hours. Does anyone have any feedback about this process, I am not sure what to expect. Thank you.

AmberNectarine · 03/08/2017 20:39

I did one when I applied for the management scheme. It was a LONG time ago now, but it took the form of some role play and problem solving. How you'd deal with a difficult customer etc. Various scenarios. Was quite good fun actually.

OllyBJolly · 07/08/2017 18:28

You're not an employee, you're a partner

Just want to clarify that Waitrose employees are employees on normal contracts of employment. The term partner is used to describe each other (like colleagues in Asda). Employees are not legal partners in the company.

The shareholding of John Lewis Partnership is held in a Trust on behalf of the employees. This is how they "own" the business.

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