shop manager

team leader

truck driver

store manager

relief manager

Cooplands-Bakery

You have different types of shifts: Bake off, morning, middle shift & closing. 
The morning shift is the only shift I have a problem with, the rest are okay. 
You're required to box/bag up bread and then do pre made sandwiches, baring in mind they want all that done before the shop opens (not possible if you start at 7 and the shop opens for 7:30) and especially more so if your shop is ridiculously busy first thing in the morning and right through till 2:00 (which mine is). 

But you will work with the best people in your shop, everyone becomes very close. Like a close knit family you share all sorts of stories. I currently have the best manager I have had since I started the company and I have moved shops 3 times due to wanting more hours and helping a shop out due to staff shortage. The company is more than willing and accepting of you moving shops if you want change or if there's any problems.

There is a slight downfall though. I feel at this moment in time the company is lacking a lot since moving through into The EG Group. The company is sadly losing its "family values" that Cooplands use to pride themselves on and caring for it employees, and now only care for sales (you'll find this comes into play a lot with pre made sandwiches). The new area managers that have come in need to learn to be more caring and noticing of their shops and colleagues that they have. I have noticed with our new area manager (yet again) is very sales orientated, doesn't care for what the shop looks like, or has come of it. Just wants more and more stock shoved into our shop that isn't very big.
But the positive side of them going through with a whole new company is that they are coming into the 21st century. Tattoos are not a problem to have (just nothing offensive) they're now laid back on some piercings too which you can wear. 

I don't doubt the company can't come back from this because I think they can, but they need to stop bringing new things in every other week (this is what it feels like at this moment in time). 

Constantly make changes that make no sense.
Wasn’t too bad before it got bought by EG, all they care about profit and mess staff around. Expect staff to take on more responsibility, send you a contract of promotion but don’t pay you that amount. Area managers have no clue how to run a store, all they do is criticise and the workload is too much considering you’re always short staffed. Never have time to sit down or have lunch. Having to do 2-3 peoples jobs and expected to just get on with it. Was made redundant and they kept changing their minds as to when it would be/ still so focused on profit and expecting people to fall in line and just take being messed around and unappreciated. End up working overtime & not being able to take lunch cos so much to do/ not enough staff, both which you’re not paid for even though there’s never time to take lunch. People you work with are great it’s just the company is being run into the ground. No autonomy, decisions are made by people who have never worked in a store, expect so much and you receive little in return. Promise they’ll sort stuff out and never do which means you’re getting paid a sales assistant position for doing a manager position. Stay away from this company if you have any self respect. They don’t appreciate anything you do, you give them everything and they make you feel like you’re stupid/ can’t do your job when it’s in fact area managers/ higher up who can’t do the job. Repeat back to you what you’ve said. Their answer to being short staffed ‘can’t you just do it’ when you’ve already worked 9 days in a row

And the 1 star review goes toward an area manager. Ignores staff, uses managers desk for her own work so manager has to stand at sink and do their paperwork. Stays when the shop is closing and staff and managers need to put stock away and cash tills but she is either working on managers desk still or wants to chat. Constant texts about what other shops are taking so everyone can see what shops are failing/doing well that week. Gets in the way of staff in the shop when doing regular reports-constantly having to ask her to move out of the way. It's a bakery there will be crumbs. She always complains about finding a crumb. 

Staffing hours cut but workload added causing a stressful environment for all managers and staff.

And the three-monthly reviews bring up mistakes made when you first started. So every three months you'll hear the same put-downs. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes but when you are singled out yet see others do the same, you begin to question whether you are a target.

It's a shame because I enjoyed working with the team, there were no issues there. This company would have had a three, or even four star rating had it not been for the above reasons-there are more, but they are to be heard via a complaint letter sent to head office.

Having worked for this company for little over a few months I can honestly say it has been the most horrendous experience. The shops are always understaffed for the amount of customers, and you often face customers queuing out of the door for hours on end as two of you try to keep on top of keeping bake off running and continual sandwiches, Uber Eats and Just Eat orders.

The management culture tends to vary from shop to shop, but with the high staff turnover you are often pressured into covering other stores, often adding a two to three hour commute to your 11 hour day.

The shifts are brutal and after being promoted to Team Leader you are expected to take the disciplinary approach to other team members for any indiscretion. There is a high degree of food faste at the end of each evening and it is heartbreaking to see so much food being sent to landfill. You are under constant camera surveilance, so do not think about taking anything to eat during your 10 hour shift unless you've paid for it - even if it was destined for landfill, you will be dismissed for theft.

Also, keep your paperwork, including a copy of your contract as all access to online portals are suspended immediately.

a typical day entails stress stress stress! busy understaffed and no support from team members or management in the shop or above.

management is extremely poor, always in the back on the computer or taking constant breaks, they don't support you on the counter, they seem to hire anybody and just give them a management title. no support from area managers, any problems you have they seem to avoid helping you with them. you are basically left to become an emotional mess.

workplace environment is horrendous. 
constant bullying from sales assistants and management, intimidation, no support, silent treatment always given, ignorance is another problem. very stressful, again no support from anybody.

the hardest part of the job is trying to undertake jobs you haven't full been trained on as barely any training is given.

there is no enjoyable parts of the job the company and staff are bullies, there's no team work. HR are no help in the situation. it is not an enjoyable work environment if anything it is toxic.





A typical day at work involves preparing sandwiches and salad boxes for the day, accepting daily deliveries and ensuring customers are served and happy. For management roles daily stock takes, cashing up, ordering stock and ensuring staff are on top of their work is also a part of day to day work.
 As a part of management I can’t comment too much on what it would be like but I feel like the staff are happy with management as we are very hands on and willing to help staff with work at every opportunity. 
The workplace culture is upbeat and friendly especially if you are in a store that does get a lot of regular customers.
Their isn’t really any difficult part to the job, however, as the breakfast and lunch time rush happens it really does get busy so you must be able to keep on top of it as best you can to avoid letting yourself get stressed.
The most enjoyable part would be the friendly environment and the free cakes at the end of the day make each day worth it :)

The business was always working at a  fast pace and the days although long, always passed quickly and were very gratifying.

I have increased my knowledge over 30 years in this business and been given opportunities to continually learn and advance within the business increasing my knowledge base and qualification's .

There was always an excellent management team in place which was identified by the retention of staff who had been with the business since leaving school until retirement.

I have always worked with a great team of managers and work colleagues with great work ethics and a willingness to succeed.

The hardest part of my job was the continual increase of workload with no financial recompense or time back.  

They promoted career advancement and training and the people I have met over the 29 years have all been what has made going to work enjoyable.


I am thrilled to write this positive review for my time at Working here has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. The company culture is outstanding, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where every employee feels valued and respected.

Management is highly approachable and genuinely cares about the well-being and development of their team members. They provide ample opportunities for growth and continuous learning, encouraging us to take on new challenges and expand our skill sets. The open-door policy ensures that any concerns or ideas are heard and addressed promptly, which has significantly boosted my confidence and job satisfaction.

The work-life balance at [Company Name] is excellent, with flexible hours and understanding leadership that recognizes the importance of personal time. Additionally, the team spirit here is unparalleled. Colleagues are not just coworkers but friends who are always willing to lend a helping hand. This camaraderie has made working on even the most 




A typical day at work consists of a rigorous day of work and jobs varying between aiding customers in their needs to organising the shop floor and window and making as many as 90 sandwiches a day. I have learned that patience is key within the service industry and to carry myself with confidence because working for Cooplands has made me see that i am good at my job and what i do. 
Management is good, my manager is new recently so is finding their feet however I know they will do a good job in time. 
The workplace culture is very much based on work hard you will be rewarded hard however I feel there is, due to the sometimes high pressure nature, a certain tense air around employees at times, but we are all close and friendly. 
The hardest part of my job would be balancing maintenance jobs such as counting stock whilst simultaneously serving customers however it is easily done. 
The most enjoyable part of the job is chatting with and making connections with customers.

It's long hours, like in many managerial roles, however when you have a great team behind you the days fly, the laughs explode and it could feel rewarding.

However as for managerial duties within the company, it could be a bit much. Lose unpaid dinner hour breaks, work overtime and take work home with you, which most of the time you never get back in lieu! 

As for the companies training, it is fantastic, you would walk away with a lot of knowledge and confidence. But with that their is no incentive and barely any praise for management to enable moral for all managers! 

You either make it or break it with this company, literally!!

You do however get regular customers which brighten your day, and you to them which is a very rewarding part of the job, good customer service = return custom = more money in the till. If you can do that, and be a tough individual as a manager then you should be fine!

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Shop manager 50 salaries reported	£25,160 per year
Team leader 134 salaries reported	£13.01 per hour
Truck driver 8 salaries reported	£33,938 per year
Store manager 19 salaries reported	£29,654 per year
Relief manager 5 salaries reported	£25,500 per year

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