Whilst Lush is supposed to be a caring inclusive company, I have found as an ex employee that this particular store was dreadful. Permanent staff were treated like children even though most had more experience in retail than the manager. The Disaplinary threats metered out for supposed infractions were legendary. Once I had informed them I would be retiring in January 2026, the months leading up to this date were filled with an environment that made me feel like I was being pushed out. I was asked to carry out treatments on customers that I had little or no training in and when I said I didnt feel comfortable doing this, you guessed it, I was threatened with a disciplinary. I was ill with anxiety and worry every time a shift came up, but no one ever contacted me to ask if I was okay. Eventually I left earlier than I had intended as going in to work had become a nightmare. I still havent received a leaving interview, but thats not surprising. Management have laws for them and laws for the shop floor staff and woe betide anyone who crosses them. I discovered that management were keeping files on the staff of any comments that were made that deemed as not being in line with the respect at work policy, even noting down comments made in private and outside of the workplace that had nothing to do with Lush. All the time management were making comments about customers and staff that were appalling.
At a time when I really needed support and help from the management, one member who I thought of as a good friend, threw me under the bus. Rather than deal with the petty and wholly unfair procedures they were attempting to implement I chose to leave. Such a shame, I had originally really enjoyed working at this Lush store, the shop floor staff were lovely and we were a really good team. There does not seem to be any way to complain about the management of a store, without the powers that be, telling the complainant to discuss it with the management! How is that supposed to work? Personnel were non existent in their help and I felt were not interested.
From what I gather, only one member of the permanent staff is still working there, so that tells its own story doesn't it? read more