Pros
The Good: First off, Macy’s is a great “in between real jobs” type of job. They hire everyone and anyone. You can be fresh out high school, or still in high school, or you can be looking for part time work only, or you can be an immigrant with little education, because it really doesn’t matter what your background happens to be. I used to work in high-end boutiques and I find that Macy’s is a discount house for lower end fashion, and anybody can work there. It is a great stepping stone to a real career, if you choose. Some managers are really great. At Orchard, Westminster, CO, Kathleen is outstanding. She works hard and she appreciates her staff. Ramesh is another outstanding manager, and is always happy to show direction. Those two should get accolades and a big raise!
Cons
The bad: #1 You can make more money and get better benefits as a grocery bagger at any grocer outlet, anywhere. The pay at Macy’s is absolutely horrible. Minimum wage is all they can offer. #2 The work hours at Macy’s is ridiculous. They will schedule employees in a nonsensical way. For example, I have been scheduled to close at night, that means getting home after midnight sometimes, only to have to get up at 5 am to open the department store at 9:00 am, and this happens a lot! (Yes, we are there long before the stores actually open.) You end up dragging yourself through the day, and it cuts your productivity down dramatically! Are they just trying to wear their employees out, or are they just taking advantage of compliant employees? #3 They don’t like giving their employees breaks. Sometimes, you have to beg to get off your feet for a few minutes, even if you are working over 8 hours per day! You will end up with health problems if you allow them to deny you breaks. Not all managers are like this, but enough are that it is a problem. The ugly: # 1 a) Managers will stand around and sexually harass their new hires. Don’t get me wrong, because many managers are great, friendly, helpful and grateful that you are there. But, sometimes even those managers don’t seem to understand sexual harassment laws. They will comment on a female employee’s body, appearance and age, and availability, etc, etc. I was just walking by, and happen to see three managers (S, A and B, two women, one man) sexually harass a female colleague of mine. I was shocked! They did not see me, as I was around the corner and the female target was in plain view of them. She was a really nice, happy, and helpful colleague. She did leave for a better job, and I thought, “Wow, good for her!” # 1 b) Some managers do spend a lot of idle time, doing nothing. Some managers will stand around, especially at the make-up counters and gossip in the most terrible ways. I walked by only to hear a manager, with a name that rhymes with Pessica, with long, black, curly hair, horned-rimmed glasses, with a horse-shaped face), explain how to get someone that you don’t like fired. It made me wonder what else does she do all day. That particular manager can be very offensive to others, and she enjoys spreading false rumors about her crew, and even associates that are not even in her department! She really does little else, as far as anyone can tell. All you have to do is ask anybody who has to work with her.
