What's it like working at Waitrose ?

[Poppybengrace]

Hi, I've been offered a job at Waitrose.
I've been wanting to find something different to being in education for a while so am so pleased to be offered the position.
Im worried about the hours as it will be late finishes but am hoping in time I might be able to do different shifts. They fit in around my family and dogs for now !
Does anyone have any thoughts/experience about working there as 50 year old plus lady?
Im looking for somewhere to stay until I retire and beyond and am hoping this will be a good move .
I read a really bad review about working at my particular store and was a bit put off .
Thanks for reading .

My friend worked for Waitrose for about 8 years. She really enjoyed it, liked her co-workers and benefitted from the career opportunities. She eventually moved on because of the shift work but hasn't ruled out returning at some point if her life changes. Good luck whichever way you choose.

If it’s any indication a lot of the staff at our branch have been there years, so they must like it! Different supermarket but similar work, a friend of mine worked for Tesco when she was made redundant during the pandemic and absolutely loved her time there. Good luck with it OP!

Thanks so much . I'm worried about the shift work but im sure I will adapt .
X

Thanks for your response ! I'm hoping it will be good for me and I'm looking forward to a new challenge! X

FWIW, I’ve never met a worker there who wasn’t super helpful and friendly, so they can’t be severely hating their jobs!

Yes, a family member worked there and they were brilliant.

We have a local waitrose. Staff have been there many years and the company do they're bit for the community (offer prizes for raffles let staff help at community projects) they also keep their carpark and shop front area nice and tidy!

I am 50 plus and working at a different supermarket. I only do part time, but it is not a stressful job and and the people I work with are lovely, as are most of the customers. You don't take your job home with you. The main negative for me is that it is quite repetitive and can be boring, but being able to chat with my colleagues makes up for that. Also, one of my shifts is in the evening which I hate. Still, there is always something not to like about any job. I plan to do this job up to and perhaps beyond retirement age. There are other older people there so I think it is possible.
I have another job that I do on other days and that job is in education and can be intense and give me a literal headache! I don't see that as a job I'll do into my sixties.

A family member worked there for 5 years . Treated well , staff benefits , mostly pleasant customers and decent environment. Not forgetting .. 25% discount at John Lewis and 20% in Waitrose.

Someone I know did exactly the same thing, she left working as a teacher to work in her local Waitrose and loves it. No stress and has been there for quite a few years now. Good luck 👍🏻

I worked for John Lewis partnership for 25 years with a stint in Waitrose , they’re not the company that they used to be , however I do think they’re still better than most retail employers .
You haven’t nothing to lose by accepting the job ( assuming you don’t have one at the moment that you want to keep ) , see how it goes and if you don’t like it look for something else .
But personally I loved my time there .
good luck

Thank you everyone for your positive responses.
I handed my notice in today and am terrified I've made a mistake but too late now !
My shifts are late finish times which is my main concern but am hoping in time I might be able to change them.
I can't afford to be choosy at 54 as the job prospects are definitely limited .

Maybe late finishes mean you’ll get the unsold yellow stickers though!

OP, if you’re still around I’d love to know how you’re getting on?
Did you take the job?
I too have just left a career in education and I now have an interview at Waitrose coming up.
I love the idea of not taking work home, a nice discount too!