What it’s like working at Card Factory
112 employees told us the worst thing about this employer…
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Head office doesn’t understand the frontline
Do people think Card Factory 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
83% 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 95 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 don’t get sick pay
Does Card Factory pay sick pay?
No. People don’t get proper sick pay
How we know this
92% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to workBased on information from 101 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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People are not paid enough to live on
Does Card Factory pay enough to live on?
People are not paid enough to live on
How we know this
79% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they liveBased on information from 104 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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Breaks aren’t paid
Do workers at Card Factory get paid breaks?
No. People don’t get paid breaks
How we know this
87% of people say they don’t get paid breaksBased on information from 102 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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People are paid below market rates
Does Card Factory pay market rates?
People are not paid market rates
How we know this
93% of people are paid below the typical pay for the type of work they doBased on information from 83 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 don’t enjoy their job
Do people at Card Factory enjoy their jobs?
Most people don’t enjoy their job
How we know this
54% of people report they don’t enjoy their jobBased on information from 39 job reviews
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Not enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Card Factory?
Most people don’t get enough training when they start
How we know this
53% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working hereBased on information from 108 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 Card Factory?
Most people feel stressed here
How we know this
64% of people say they often feel stressed at workBased on information from 104 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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Shifts get changed at short notice
Do Card Factory managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers change people’s shifts at short notice
How we know this
58% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minuteBased on information from 101 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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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Card Factory?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
How we know this
- 28% report getting one week notice or less
- 22% report getting two weeks notice
- 13% report getting three weeks notice
- 35% report getting four weeks notice or more
- 2% report having a fixed rota
Based on information from 107 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 recommend their team
Do people at Card Factory recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team
How we know this
51% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friendBased on information from 112 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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Easy to change shifts
How easy is it for Card Factory workers to change shifts?
Most people find it easy to change shifts
How we know this
60% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need toBased on information from 78 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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Well informed about head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Card Factory is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
How we know this
54% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a wholeBased on information from 94 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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No unpaid extra work
Do workers at Card Factory do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
How we know this
66% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid workBased on information from 96 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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Easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Card Factory?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How we know this
52% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sickBased on information from 73 job reviews
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Managers are respectful
Do people at Card Factory feel treated by respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers
How we know this
63% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managersBased on information from 106 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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Good for students
Is a Card Factory job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying
How we know this
68% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studyingBased on information from 22 job reviews
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
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Good for parents
Is working at Card Factory 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
61% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to workBased on information from 23 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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People don’t worry about getting enough hours
Do workers at Card Factory worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours
How we know this
60% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hoursBased on information from 107 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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People get proper breaks
Do people at Card Factory get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks
How we know this
58% of people report that they get to take proper breaksBased on information from 88 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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Good choice of shifts
Do Card Factory workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work
How we know this
60% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they workBased on information from 91 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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Opportunities to progress
Are people given support to progress at Card Factory?
Most people are given support to progress here
How we know this
In the last year, 51% 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 99 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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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Card Factory?
People find it easy to book holidays
How we know this
77% of people report it’s easy to book holidaysBased on information from 91 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.
Card Factory Q+A
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Join BreakroomHow Card Factory ranks
Card Factory ranks joint 111th to work for in retailers
- 111= Blacks
- 111= Card Factory
- 111= Poundland
Pay ranges at Card Factory
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£4.55–8.72 per hour
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£8.92–10.45 per hour
Card Factory job reviews
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Best thing
Great team to work with, everyone tried to help where they can including managers.
Worst thing
Managers can’t do anything about people who always phone in sick and never turn up. Head office expects you to survive on a 4 hour minimum wage contract, they don’t understand the amount of effort and work it takes to keep a store running nor do they see the abuse we have to take from customers.
Employee, June 2021
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Best thing
Fun and fast paced job to have always something happening and changing for the better of the customer and employee.
Worst thing
Complaints aren't dealt with quickly enough
Employee, September 2021
About
Card Factory is a retailer. They sell greetings cards, wrapping paper, gifts and balloons.
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Handy to know
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 107 employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 107 employees
How are people paid?
Based on 112 employees
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