What it’s like working at AO
19 employees told us the worst thing about this employer…
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Head office doesn’t understand the frontline
Do people think AO 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
89% 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 19 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 AO pay market rates?
People are not paid market rates
How we know this
76% of people are paid below the typical pay for the type of work they doBased on information from 17 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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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at AO?
People don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
How we know this
- 53% report getting one week notice or less
- 0% report getting two weeks notice
- 0% report getting three weeks notice
- 7% report getting four weeks notice or more
- 40% report having a fixed rota
Based on information from 15 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 AO pay sick pay?
No. People don’t get proper sick pay
How we know this
83% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to workBased on information from 18 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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Contracts don’t match the hours people work
Do people work the same number they are contracted for at AO?
Only some people work the same number of hours they’re contracted for
How we know this
73% of people report working 8 hours or more than they’re contracted for each weekBased on information from 11 job reviews
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
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Hard to choose shifts
Do AO workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work
How we know this
60% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they workBased on information from 10 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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Not enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at AO?
Most people don’t get enough training when they start
How we know this
65% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working hereBased on information from 17 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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People feel stressed
Is it stressful to work at AO?
Most people feel stressed here
How we know this
68% of people say they often feel stressed at workBased on information from 19 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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Not good for parents
Is working at AO good if you have caring responsibilities?
Most people say this is a bad place to work if you care for a child or other relative
How we know this
56% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to workBased on information from 9 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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Breaks aren’t paid
Do workers at AO get paid breaks?
Not always. Most people don’t get paid breaks
How we know this
74% of people say they don’t get paid breaksBased on information from 19 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.
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No career progression
Are people given support to progress at AO?
Only some people are given support to progress here
How we know this
In the last year, 67% of people report not 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 18 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 don’t get proper breaks
Do people at AO get proper breaks?
Most people don’t get proper breaks
How we know this
59% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaksBased on information from 17 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 don’t recommend their team
Do people at AO recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team
How we know this
53% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friendBased on information from 19 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 aren’t respectful
Do people at AO feel treated by respect by their managers?
Most people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers
How we know this
61% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managersBased on information from 18 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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People do unpaid extra work
Do workers at AO do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Most people do unpaid extra work
How we know this
54% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid forBased on information from 13 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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Uninformed about head office
Do workers feel well informed about how AO is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing
How we know this
59% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a wholeBased on information from 17 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 worry about getting enough hours
Do workers at AO worry about hours?
Most people worry about getting enough hours
How we know this
57% of people report they worry about getting enough hoursBased on information from 14 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 change shifts
How easy is it for AO workers to change shifts?
Most people find it easy to change shifts
How we know this
57% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need toBased on information from 7 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 AO?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How we know this
56% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sickBased on information from 16 job reviews
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People enjoy their job
Do people at AO enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job
How we know this
60% of people report they enjoy their jobBased on information from 5 job reviews
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No short notice shift changes
Do AO managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice
How we know this
58% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minuteBased on information from 12 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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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at AO?
People find it easy to book holidays
How we know this
78% of people report it’s easy to book holidaysBased on information from 18 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 are paid enough to live on
Does AO pay enough to live on?
People are paid enough to live on
How we know this
84% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they liveBased on information from 19 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.
AO Q+A
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Join BreakroomHow AO ranks
AO ranks 18th to work for in technology retailers
- 17 Currys PC World
- 18 AO
- 19= Cef
AO job reviews
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Best thing
being out meeting people
Worst thing
traffic
Employee, August 2021
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Best thing
Stress free no one bothers you
Worst thing
You don't find out tomorrow's start time till about 10pm sometimes
Delivery driver, January 2021
About
AO is an online retailer. They sell household and electrical products.
Jobs by location
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36 job openings
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12 job openings
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12 job openings
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11 job openings
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9 job openings
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8 job openings
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8 job openings
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7 job openings
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7 job openings
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7 job openings
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7 job openings
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6 job openings
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6 job openings
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5 job openings
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4 job openings
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4 job openings
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2 job openings
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1 job opening
Handy to know
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 15 employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 13 employees
How are people paid?
Based on 19 employees
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