What it’s like working at Cef
16 employees told us the worst thing about this employer…
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People feel stressed
Is it stressful to work at Cef?
People feel stressed here
How we know this
88% of people say they often feel stressed at workBased on information from 16 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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Breaks aren’t paid
Do workers at Cef get paid breaks?
No. People don’t get paid breaks
How we know this
92% of people say they don’t get paid breaksBased on information from 13 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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Head office doesn’t understand the frontline
Do people think Cef head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work
How we know this
62% 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 13 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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Not enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Cef?
Most people don’t get enough training when they start
How we know this
56% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working hereBased on information from 16 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 are not paid enough to live on
Does Cef pay enough to live on?
Most people are not paid enough to live on
How we know this
60% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they liveBased on information from 15 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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People are paid below market rates
Does Cef pay market rates?
Most people are not paid market rates
How we know this
69% of people are paid below the typical pay for the type of work they doBased on information from 16 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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No career progression
Are people given support to progress at Cef?
Only some people are given support to progress here
How we know this
In the last year, 53% 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 15 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 Cef get proper breaks?
Most people don’t get proper breaks
How we know this
73% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaksBased on information from 15 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 Cef recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team
How we know this
69% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friendBased on information from 16 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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People don’t get sick pay
Does Cef pay sick pay?
Not always. Most people don’t get proper sick pay
How we know this
62% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to workBased on information from 13 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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Managers aren’t respectful
Do people at Cef feel treated by respect by their managers?
Most people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers
How we know this
53% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managersBased on information from 15 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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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Cef?
Most people find it easy to book holidays
How we know this
69% of people report it’s easy to book holidaysBased on information from 16 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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Easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Cef?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How we know this
63% 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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Well informed about head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Cef is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
How we know this
71% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a wholeBased on information from 14 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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Good for parents
Is working at Cef good if you have caring responsibilities?
People say this is a good place to work if you care for a child or other relative
How we know this
80% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to workBased on information from 5 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.
Cef Q+A
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Join BreakroomHow Cef ranks
Cef ranks 30th to work for in diy and builders merchants
Pay ranges at Cef
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£8.45–15.15 per hour
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£7.53–8.40 per hour
Cef job reviews
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Best thing
The people on the floor. Easy to do. Always get paid on time.
Worst thing
Management and supervisors !Dont care about health and safety . Treated like you are at school. Yelled at. Bad for physical and mental health.
Employee, July 2021
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Best thing
Delivering
Worst thing
Dealing with customers and their complaints
Employee, May 2021
About
Cef is an electrical products wholesaler.
Handy to know
How are people paid?
Based on 16 employees
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