Crate and Barrel reviews

The management was absolutely terrible, upper management has a god complex and is manipulative. The most toxic person I have ever encountered. Tries to humiliate you and make you seem inferior. Tells younger employees not to hold their hands certain ways or walk certain ways. Creates random rules about what employees can or cannot do based on their mood that day. All employees know of the issues and have complained to corporate many times but they have done nothing about it. You are expected to harass customers repeatedly and will be scolded if you don't. Even if they make it clear they want to be left alone you are expected and told to re-approach 2-3 times. At every step of the customer interaction you must up-sell and push products on people who don't need or want them. It really is a humiliating job. The only part of the job that I enjoyed is the coworkers, very kind people and always helpful. However, you aren't allowed to speak to coworkers for more than 20 seconds at a time, even if the store is practically empty and every customer has been helped. You have to watch the customer until the pick something up and offer help or show them something additional to buy. Interactions with coworkers will be broken up my management if you look a little too happy. There is no trust in employees, you must get your purse or bag checked every time you leave the back room for stolen merchandise. No freedom. You are constantly told what to do and who to talk to over the earpiece. However, if you truly form a connection with a customer and are chatting with them a little too long for management's liking, you will be told to disconnect with them and harass someone else. This company values "making connections with customers" but this only means if they are going to buy something that day. Save yourself, do not accept a job here.

The company has a new President, new CEO and new Sr VP of Stores. This new executive don't embody the special qualities of the original founder and employees. Change is rampant and they don't care or listen to their employees. The transparency of the company is gone and the new executive want you to take instructions without asking questions. Free thought and empowerment are gone. They prefer "stream-lining" to individuality. Turnover rates are rising very quickly and people don't have the buy in they used to.