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'SELLING OUR SOUL'

Mothercare staff blast ‘long hours, bad pay and few breaks’ – but there is one bonus to working there

Workers have revealed what's going on behind closed doors at one of the biggest maternity and children's retailers in Britain

STAFF at Mothercare claim they work in a pressurised environment with long hours and a work load so high it feels like they are "selling their soul" to the firm.

The company is one of the country's biggest maternity and children's retailers with about 140 stores in the UK and more than 5,000 employees worldwide.

 The company is one of the biggest maternity and children's retailers in Britain
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The company is one of the biggest maternity and children's retailers in BritainCredit: Getty Images

Now, in more than 160 reviews from around the world which have been posted on job search website , some staff have revealed what really goes on in the workplace.

The main disadvantages, according to staff, are "no career progress" and "minimum wage".

But they did praise the 20% staff discount available to employees.

The firm has said employees are its "number one priority" and promised to look at all the feedback.

A former employee from Aberdeen, Scotland claimed workers only get a 15-minute break for a six-hour shift.

He said: "Expectations for minimum wage is unreal, you will be expected to sell your soul and be grateful you have a job. Treat staff as people, not numbers."

 A former employee from Aberdeen, Scotland said workers only get a 15-minute break for a six-hour shift
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A former employee from Aberdeen, Scotland said workers only get a 15-minute break for a six-hour shift
 Another worker from Leicester said Mothercare's management requires workers to disregard their life outside of work
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Another worker from Leicester said Mothercare's management requires workers to disregard their life outside of workCredit: Glassdoor

"You will get a small hours contract and expect to work above and beyond your contracted hours and if you cannot work those hours you are responsible for getting them covered."

His claims were backed up by a sales associate currently working for the company in Glasgow.

He said: "No autonomy. Ridiculously short breaks. No flexibility with work life commitments. Expected to stay on without pay. Lack of staff."

The same worker claimed that members of Mothercare's management team gossip about employees when they are ill, making staff feel bad for not coming in to work when they feel unwell.

A customer adviser based in Leicester argued that the management requires workers to "disregard our life outside of work" and to "give full attention to the company."

He added: "Furthermore, when I call in sick or be it another member of staff we receive verbal abuse from all the management.

"They do not bring out their potential from within each member of staff and keep us on minimum wage by telling other members of staff that we are not working hard enough."

Despite the many negative reviews many employees praised Mothercare for its generous staff discount and friendly team.

 A sales associate from Glasgow said bosses make workers feel bad for coming in to work when they are ill
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A sales associate from Glasgow said bosses make workers feel bad for coming in to work when they are ill
 A customer service employee based in Plymouth said she works with a great team and loves her job
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A customer service employee based in Plymouth said she works with a great team and loves her job

Many workers said the 20 per cent staff discount on selected items was one of the best things about working for Mothercare.

A sales assistant currently working for the company said: "You get a few regular customers who always stop to say hello and update you on baby's milestones, which is lovely.

"Really friendly team who all get on really well."

A spokesperson for Mothercare told the Sun Online that it was "disappointing" to hear that certain members of staff have had a negative experience in the Mothercare business.

The company said: "Our employees are our number one priority, both in stores and at Head Office, and we take all feedback very seriously.

How to tackle problems at work

THERE are a few steps you can take if you're facing issues at work.

  • Keep evidence – keep hold of letters, payslips, emails and texts, and note down a record of conversations you’ve had which could be used to support your case.
  • Talk to your boss – problems may arise from honest mistakes or misunderstanding the law.
    If you don’t feel confident having a conversation one-to-one, ask a colleague or Union rep to join you.

  • Have a more formal discussion – if the issue isn’t resolved with an informal conversation, the next step is to raise a written grievance, which should give you the chance to discuss your issue formally.

  • Get advice – if you’re still not getting anywhere, speak to Citizens Advice, your Trade Union or to ACAS.
    Options might include using dispute resolution to liaise with your employer, or going to an employment tribunal.

"Mothercare is going through a significant business transformation, which means there is a lot of change happening across the business, and we are conscious that this can be unsettling for some members of staff.

"We have a number of initiatives in place that are focused on making Mothercare a rewarding and enjoyable place to work.

"For example, we are committed to paying store colleagues more than the national living wage.


SCROOGES 179 firms fined for not paying minimum wage - is your employer on the list?


"We also recognise that flexible working in stores is more challenging, so we are listening to lots of ideas put forward by our new colleague engagement groups.”

Mothercare became the latest retailer to reveal it was in financial straits in the wake of the collapse of Toys R Us and Maplin earlier this month.

The company's debts have risen from nearly £38million to just under £50million.

The firm, founded in 1961, has been struggling against cheap competition from supermarkets and online retailers.


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