What it’s like working at Smyths Toys
46 people shared what they think about working at Smyths Toys…
Join Breakroom and get the inside scoop.
Join Breakroom-
Contracts don’t match the hours people work
Do people work the same number they are contracted for at Smyths Toys?
People work a lot more hours than they’re contracted for
How we know this
78% of people report working 8 hours or more than they’re contracted for each weekBased on information from 36 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.
-
Head office doesn’t understand the frontline
Do people think Smyths Toys 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
76% 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 42 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.
-
Breaks aren’t paid
Do workers at Smyths Toys get paid breaks?
No. People don’t get paid breaks
How we know this
98% of people say they don’t get paid breaksBased on information from 45 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.
-
Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Smyths Toys?
People don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working
How we know this
- 82% report getting one week notice or less
- 4% report getting two weeks notice
- 4% report getting three weeks notice
- 2% report getting four weeks notice or more
- 7% report having a fixed rota
Based on information from 45 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.
-
People don’t get sick pay
Does Smyths Toys pay sick pay?
No. People don’t get proper sick pay
How we know this
95% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to workBased on information from 43 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.
-
Not easy to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Smyths Toys?
Most people find it hard to take sick leave
How we know this
56% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sickBased on information from 34 job reviews
-
People feel stressed
Is it stressful to work at Smyths Toys?
Most people feel stressed here
How we know this
61% of people say they often feel stressed at workBased on information from 41 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.
-
Shifts get changed at short notice
Do Smyths Toys managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers change people’s shifts at short notice
How we know this
53% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minuteBased on information from 43 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.
-
People are not paid enough to live on
Does Smyths Toys pay enough to live on?
Most people are not paid enough to live on
How we know this
65% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they liveBased on information from 43 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.
-
People are paid below market rates
Does Smyths Toys pay market rates?
Most people are not paid market rates
How we know this
60% of people are paid below the typical pay for the type of work they doBased on information from 40 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.
-
No career progression
Are people given support to progress at Smyths Toys?
Only some people are given support to progress here
How we know this
In the last year, 55% 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 38 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.
-
People don’t recommend their team
Do people at Smyths Toys recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team
How we know this
57% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friendBased on information from 46 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.
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Smyths Toys?
Most people find it easy to book holidays
How we know this
70% of people report it’s easy to book holidaysBased on information from 37 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.
-
Easy to change shifts
How easy is it for Smyths Toys workers to change shifts?
Most people find it easy to change shifts
How we know this
59% of people report that it’s easy to change shifts if they need toBased on information from 32 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.
-
People enjoy their job
Do people at Smyths Toys enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job
How we know this
50% of people report they enjoy their jobBased on information from 18 job reviews
-
Good choice of shifts
Do Smyths Toys workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work
How we know this
50% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they workBased on information from 42 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.
-
Enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Smyths Toys?
Most people get enough training when they start
How we know this
64% of people report they got enough training when they started working hereBased on information from 45 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.
-
Good for parents
Is working at Smyths Toys 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
55% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to workBased on information from 11 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.
-
No unpaid extra work
Do workers at Smyths Toys do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
How we know this
62% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid workBased on information from 39 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.
-
Well informed about head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Smyths Toys is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing
How we know this
51% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a wholeBased on information from 39 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.
-
People don’t worry about getting enough hours
Do workers at Smyths Toys worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours
How we know this
57% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hoursBased on information from 37 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.
-
People get proper breaks
Do people at Smyths Toys get proper breaks?
People get proper breaks
How we know this
78% of people report that they get to take proper breaksBased on information from 41 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.
-
Managers are respectful
Do people at Smyths Toys feel treated by respect by their managers?
People feel treated with respect by their managers
How we know this
76% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managersBased on information from 41 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.
Ask someone at Smyths Toys
- Ask your question
- We‘ll send it to real people who work at Smyths Toys
- You’ll get an email when someone answers
Thinking of working at Smyths Toys?
Join Breakroom to unlock insights about Smyths Toys and thousands of other employers.
Join BreakroomHow Smyths Toys ranks
Smyths Toys ranks joint 125th to work for in retail employers
- 125= Poundland
- 125= Smyths Toys
- 129= Blacks
Pay ranges at Smyths Toys
-
£7.46–9.20 per hour
-
£9.74–12.14 per hour
Smyths Toys job reviews
-
Best thing
The best thing about the job was helping people
Worst thing
They didn't take into consideration that if my daughter wasn't well I couldn't work because I am a single mother with not much help
Employee, October 2021
-
Best thing
the people you work with, always something to do
Worst thing
can be stressful, pay isn't great, not much progression if you don't want to be a manager
Employee, June 2021
About
Smyths Toys is a retailer. They sell children's toys.
Handy to know
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 45 employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 36 employees
How are people paid?
Based on 46 employees
Thinking of working at Smyths Toys?
Join Breakroom to unlock insights about Smyths Toys and thousands of other employers.
Join Breakroom