Smyths Toys
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DismissSmyths Toys is a retailer. They sell children's toys.
smythstoys.com/uk/en-gbRating based on 244 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz
About jobs at Smyths Toys
Pay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do Smyths Toys pay a living wage?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
53% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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 current rates are £12.00 per hour, and £13.15 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do Smyths Toys pay market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
52% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Needs improving
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Under 21s get paid less than everyone else
Do Smyths Toys pay the same regardless of age?
No, people under the age of 21 get paid less than those above 21.
See what Smyths Toys pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 21s is less than those who are over 21.Based on data from 115 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2022 and March 2024.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at Smyths Toys get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
98% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Smyths Toys pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
97% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do workers at Smyths Toys do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
40% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Smyths Toys?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 69% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 22% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 8% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 2% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Okay
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Some people worry about their hours
Do workers at Smyths Toys worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
49% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do Smyths Toys workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
53% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Smyths Toys workers to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
45% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Smyths Toys?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
79% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Smyths Toys managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
43% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Smyths Toys?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
40% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
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People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do people work the same number they are contracted for at Smyths Toys?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
78% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Okay
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Only some students say it’s good
Is a Smyths Toys job good for students?
Only some students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
36% of students report this isn’t a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2022 and February 2024.
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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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working at Smyths Toys good if you’re a parent or carer?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
36% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2022 and February 2024.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do people at Smyths Toys feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
46% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Good
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Most people get proper breaks
Do people at Smyths Toys get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks.
How we know this
80% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at Smyths Toys?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
78% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at Smyths Toys enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
44% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
Okay
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Only some people 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
62% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Smyths Toys?
Some people did’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
57% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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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Only some people get support to progress
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, 47% 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 role.Based on data from 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think Smyths Toys 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
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 work.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Smyths Toys is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
53% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2024.
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.
How Smyths Toys ranks
Smyths Toys ranks last to work for out of toy and games shops.
Rankings are based on Breakroom Ratings for employers with 5 or more Breakroom Quiz responses, accurate as of 29 March 2024.
Pay ranges at Smyths Toys
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£8.00-10.80 per hour
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£25.0k-40.3k per year
Smyths Toys job reviews
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Best thing
The other retail assistants
Worst thing
Management are racist to anyone who isn’t white publicly over the headset (coming from a white person).
Management bully people and so do those close to them. They are so condescending to staff and watch your every move on camera waiting for you to mess something up. Don’t expect to leave when your rota says you finish 9/10 you won’t.
Late night finishes everyday practically and long days 8 am -10.30 pm etc.
I can deal with long days just not being bullied and spoken down to it’s completely unacceptable and I wouldn’t recommend to anybody.Smyths Toys Retail assistant, December 2023
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Best thing
Is a fun nob when you have a good team around you.
Worst thing
Area manager and above have no clue how to run a shop and whats needed.
Smyths Toys Duty manager, February 2023
Handy to know
How much notice do people get of their shifts?
Based on 64 Smyths Toys employees
Based on 66 Smyths Toys employees
What contracts are people on?
Based on 51 Smyths Toys employees