Awful experience - Do not work for Area 1 - Sales Associate Max Spielmann Employee Review

1.0
17 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good staff discount, nice colleagues although no one was happy

Cons

Some areas do not hire part time staff and just have minimal full time staff meaning you’re constantly overworked, lone working and it’s very difficult to schedule holidays. Work every weekend, no major holidays, NO time off at all in December. If you want to book a weekend off that means you have to work the next 7 days in a row. If you’re lone working, you can barely take breaks as you have to shut the shop and most of the time it gets too busy. Made to travel all over the place and get told last minute sometimes the morning of. Calling in sick is a crime! Made to feel bad and almost pathetic and talked down to! Management is backwards, I worked for area 1 (area manager Leanne) most of the managers were very gossipy using colleagues against each other to find out info, get too involved. It’s made very clear they’re here to support us and we can talk to them which seems great at first but things never stay confidential, they never actually help and you wish you never spoke to them. Not treated like a human! I’ve been called a ‘little girl’ by the ceo when she wanted me to fetch coffees. Example of a message the area got in December “we care about your mental health however if you take any absences in December you do not get your bonus’. Another example I had to work every weekend in December so I asked for just one Saturday off to see my family over Christmas time as I had no other time off, got approved then changed a week later, when I explained I’ve planned to see my family as it’s my only chance they told me I could see them in the new year…. All the staff are miserable ‘hate their job’ and all feel too much pressure. Worst job I’ve ever had didnt realise how miserable I was until I left!!

Explore other reviews about Max Spielmann

1.0
28 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pretty good discount on products.

Cons

Lonely place to work. Management very clicky and difficult to talk to. You're "trained" by managers who know nothing about photography or how to use a camera/photoshop. Sent all over the place to different shops very last minute. Upper management very unprofessional on occasion. I was attacked by a customer and spat at. Called my manager who then complained to other members of staff that I bothered her on her day off! Wouldn't bother unless you like being lonely and being treated like a nobody.

2.0
1 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good staff discount on offer.

Cons

Only paid for 8 hours a day but have to work at least 8.5 hours, mainly 9 hours. Breaks are not possible when you work alone which is 90% of the time and you are moaned at when you do take a full break. Expected to do a lot for just above minimum wage. Targets are out of reach a lot of the time, and incentives are low. Expected to cancel days off and holidays to cover sickness. Working alone on very busy days with no help available, can go a full day without eating/drinking as there is no help available. Taking most issues to the area team just gets the reply of “that’s the job”

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