What it’s like working at A F Blakemore
39 employees told us the worst thing about this employer…
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Head office doesn’t understand the frontline
Do people think A F Blakemore head office understands what's happening where they work?
People think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
How we know this
87% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they workBased on information from 30 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
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People are paid below market rates
Does A F Blakemore pay market rates?
People are not paid market rates
How we know this
88% of people are paid below the typical pay for the type of work they doBased on information from 33 job reviews
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
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People feel stressed
Is it stressful to work at A F Blakemore?
Most people feel stressed here
How we know this
58% of people say they often feel stressed at workBased on information from 38 job reviews
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
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People are not paid enough to live on
Does A F Blakemore pay enough to live on?
Most people are not paid enough to live on
How we know this
57% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they liveBased on information from 35 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The Real Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour, and £10.85 per hour in London.
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at A F Blakemore?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
How we know this
- 29% report getting one week notice or less
- 5% report getting two weeks notice
- 11% report getting three weeks notice
- 47% report getting four weeks notice or more
- 8% report having a fixed rota
Based on information from 38 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
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People don’t get sick pay
Does A F Blakemore pay sick pay?
Not always. Most people don’t get proper sick pay
How we know this
73% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to workBased on information from 37 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
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Easy to change shifts
How easy is it for A F Blakemore workers to change shifts?
Most people find it easy to change shifts
How we know this
67% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need toBased on information from 24 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
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Easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at A F Blakemore?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How we know this
55% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sickBased on information from 33 job reviews
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Good choice of shifts
Do A F Blakemore workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work
How we know this
59% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they workBased on information from 34 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
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Good for parents
Is working at A F Blakemore good if you have caring responsibilities?
Most people say this is a good place to work if you care for a child or other relative
How we know this
67% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to workBased on information from 12 job reviews
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
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No short notice shift changes
Do A F Blakemore managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
How we know this
64% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minuteBased on information from 36 job reviews
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
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Opportunities to progress
Are people given support to progress at A F Blakemore?
Most people are given support to progress here
How we know this
In the last year, 64% of people report being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their roleBased on information from 33 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
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People get proper breaks
Do people at A F Blakemore get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks
How we know this
65% of people report that they get to take proper breaksBased on information from 34 job reviews
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
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People recommend their team
Do people at A F Blakemore recommend working with their team?
Most people recommend working with their team
How we know this
54% of people report that they would recommend working with their immediate team to a friendBased on information from 39 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
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Managers are respectful
Do people at A F Blakemore feel treated by respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers
How we know this
74% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managersBased on information from 31 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
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No unpaid extra work
Do workers at A F Blakemore do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
How we know this
61% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid workBased on information from 33 job reviews
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
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Well informed about head office
Do workers feel well informed about how A F Blakemore is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
How we know this
53% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a wholeBased on information from 34 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
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People don’t worry about getting enough hours
Do workers at A F Blakemore worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours
How we know this
66% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hoursBased on information from 32 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at A F Blakemore?
People find it easy to book holidays
How we know this
86% of people report it’s easy to book holidaysBased on information from 35 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
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People enjoy their job
Do people at A F Blakemore enjoy their jobs?
People enjoy their job
How we know this
80% of people report they enjoy their jobBased on information from 5 job reviews
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Enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at A F Blakemore?
People get enough training when they start
How we know this
82% of people report they got enough training when they started working hereBased on information from 38 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
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Breaks are paid
Do workers at A F Blakemore get paid breaks?
Yes. People get paid breaks
How we know this
78% of people say they get paid breaksBased on information from 36 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
A F Blakemore Q+A
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“What's an average day like, length of hours, start times etc”
Anonymous, September 2021
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Join BreakroomHow A F Blakemore ranks
A F Blakemore ranks 3rd to work for in convenience stores
- 1= Henderson
- 3 A F Blakemore
- 4= East of England Co-op
Pay ranges at A F Blakemore
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£8.21–8.91 per hour
A F Blakemore job reviews
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Best thing
Suits what I want to work
Worst thing
Pay not being appreciated by the company
Supervisor, March 2021
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Best thing
Very family oriented. Always given time off (unpaid) for special school assemblies, sports days, sick child. I have also been able to bank my hours for time off (school holidays) rather than get paid if they’ve needed me to cover. 20 minute daily break. We are like one big family, we love most but with every family there’s always that annoying one. Most employees at my depot are long serving, if you don’t leave within 12 months you tend to stay forever, if you do leave nine times out of 10 you will come back.
Worst thing
When I started my wage was good but once minimum wage was introduced the gap has closed so majority get 1p above minimum wage.
Telesales, February 2021
About
A.F. Blakemore is a distribution, wholesale and logistics company. They operate and distribute to SPAR and Philpotts stores.
Handy to know
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 38 employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 30 employees
How are people paid?
Based on 39 employees
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