Hours are bad, super inconsistent. I could go up to 9 days without scheduled shifts. If you asked for certain days off on their "gray/blackout" dates they would make a huge deal even though some of them are really unreasonable.. On average I work 3 to 4 days a week, it just depends. Schedule was really inconsistent and constantly changing. At times it was posted super late.(The night before the new week started) it was hard to make plans because of all the changes. When you would bring it up the manager would say company policy always them to make changes up to a few hours before a shift ( most of us think this policy was mainly supposed to be used when they needed to cut shifts due to payroll; not making us come in 2 hours earlier or stay for an extended 3 hours)
If you are in school or have another job they will work with you to an extent.
Company is constantly changing and adding more to the associates requirements. Then on top of that you have to meet the DMs standards. They want us to be above the company standard for registering customers for the rewards program. They stress this to no end and at times use it against associates. They have pressured them by saying only those with x% will be getting hours. They also have Endless Aisle option for customers; always customers to order stuff from online in store, Which is nice when customers bring it up or a certain item is only available online but once again they put so much pressure on employees. The company investe
3.0
Customer Service Representative | Houston, TX | Jan 14, 2019
Dedicated employee gets no respect in return
I worked for Carter’s three months shy of four years and still did not hit $10 hourly pay rate. I left because of the work environment and my hours being cut lower and lower. Some weeks I would be lucky to get 6-9 hours. While others were scheduled 26 hours. And I could no longer deal with supervisor that was rude to myself and more importantly customers.
In my time at Carter’s I’ve had two managers, four assistant managers and approximately six supervisors. I was a faithful employee that worked hard. I was on time and always tried to followed Carter’s guidelines. Most of our management team did the same. But as the saying goes it only takes one bad apple and we had a really rotten one. And apparently the consequences for her actions was getting scheduled more hours.
Every day would consist of helping customers, restocking clearing all rolling racks and recovering store. A lot depended on what day and time you worked. At night you also swept floors and emptied trash. Also about once a week you had to change all sale signs. During the day you also had to clear cash wrap making sure it was fully stocked. And one employee would try to work freight.
And let’s not forget cleaning bathrooms :(
Each day employees are expected to make the days sale goal. That would not be a problem. But how can you make a goal when you have a $600 sale hour and $500 in customer merchandise returns. Some times after returns (mostly online sales merchandise) we would be neg
ProsEmployees are able to take time off when needed. 25% discount.
ConsSales goals are hard to hit because of returns. Unfair division of hours.
1.0
Maintenance Technician | Braselton, GA | Aug 15, 2016
Horrible place to work only hire vets to get the tax break.
This is a bad place to work the only nice thing I have to say is that the facility is nice. I was hired through a veteran's program and told I had the job went for second interview and they left me hanging but finally got the job secured. You are under constant scrutiny and the managers are always playing tricks on you like being under a constant test to see what kinds of decisions you will make in current situations. Managers were hard to find when you needed them and they were very disorganized I had 3 different bosses and my co workers were very cut throat I had to watch !y back constantly the work ethic of my co workers was very lazy and were there only for the paycheck if you didn't hunt dear or raise show pigs you were not in the club also they didn't take very kindly to me being ex military. The upper management and human resources personally were completely lost when it came to getting !y background check and done I had to do it myself because the girl in the he Dept. had no idea how to do it. If you are the type of person who likes to be beat down at work and constantly threatens with your job then it's the place for you. The security guards will go through your personal items and give you a hard time. The turnover rate is very high and most people I made cont act with were very disgruntled and only other for a check they also worked more temporary employees than regular full time I guess to keep from having to pay benefits. The bosses would ride around in a golf c
ProsNice Facility
ConsLazy jealous backstabbing employees.
3.0
Sales Support Coordinator | Atlanta, GA | Jul 9, 2020
Decent place to start career if you are on the right team/department
Some departments at Carter's corporate office are better than others. The sales department has a poor culture that needs much work. The whole company is aware of the many issues within this department, however leadership seems to ignore it. There is very high employee turnover, favoritism, no room for growth (unless you are favored by management), poor work life balance for upper management, and hourly employees in more entry level positions are treated significantly worse than salaried employees. There is very little transparency from leadership throughout the company. Employees concerns are listened to, but never actioned on. Management and HR say they care about employees, however it is clear they only care about the company and revenue.
The retail department is larger and has a little more transparency. There are more cross functional relationships built which provides more opportunity for growth and career advancement. Retail department is extremely fast paced and cut throat. Work life balance is not great, many hours spent working over the weekends and past 5PM on the week days.
There is an extreme need for employees to review managers. It is clear that there are people that received no management training. If your manager is good then you are in luck, but if not, your ability to grow within the company and receive raises or promotions is almost impossible. Carter's is a good place to begin your career and make friends, however it is easy to get stuck here without a
ProsOffice is in a cool location in Buckhead
Conssome toxic environments. many employees are not treated fairly. no opportunity for advancement
This was the most awful company I’ve ever worked for. Not one part of working there was enjoyable. The interview was very easy going, and from that I thought i’d enjoy the work environment around there, and I love shopping with Carter’s so I was thrilled to use the discount. But boy, I was fooled! My first day starting I was stuck with a book and on the computer for training, once I finished I was placed on the salesfloor, no shadowing whatsoever. Second day I was asked questions about the book that I read ONE time and scolded about NOT remembering every little thing in their crazy standards that i’d read 24 hours ago. So without providing any training they wanted me to greet the customers ask them what to find even though I wasn’t familiar with the stores layout at all. So a customer would come in looking for jeans and i’d be like “I think I know where that is.” In the next few days I was given critism about interacting with the customer 3 - 5 times through their visit (ridiculous because i’d snap at someone if they checked on me THAT much). I had to do registers without knowing how, it wasn’t hard to pick up on it but a brief walk through would’ve been nice. The point I had enough is when management called me a liar about my punches and also changing my schedules on me through the week (ex: schedule was posted, and then 2 days later changed that i’d be working a different shift on monday, then the day before monday changed that i’d have off monday and instead work tuesday t
Enjoyable workplace with a company who cares about their employees
Carter’s is a great place to work. You learn everything you need to know through a book and a member of management teaches you register. A typical day includes morning paperwork, the replenish app, daily cleaning, restocking merchandise and processing shipment after arrival. The clientele is wonderful, unless you get someone coming in on a rush to get out. The discount is amazing as it stacks with sales and clearance! The loyalty program is also great. They offer online ordering in store which is quick and easy to use. The only thing that gets repetitive is having to fold clothes since customers can get messy. Window and promo changes can take a while at night and can lead well past closing. Some managers spend too much time on their phones (phones are allowed on the floor) and won’t ring unless they feel like it, even if there’s a long line. A lot of different benefits are included, but the health insurance for part timers is outrageous. Definitely not enough associates since a few only have open availability for one day. Otherwise, you can learn everything you need to know to become a great future manager in any retail space and they promote within. This company is truly about integrity and exceeds all expectations.
ProsDiscount, management, the learning experience, loyalty program
ConsPhones being allowed on the floor which is really for emgergencies only, health insurance is super expensive, how long it takes for promos/windows, associates calling out and asking management to cover their shifts 2 hours prior to shift
Save your time and don't try to get a job at Carters. I sorta liked it when I started, but that was only because I liked the people I worked with in the beginning. I would have never taken the offer of employment had I been told the hours that they give everyone. They don't give any hours and they have to have a certain number of employees at all times. They are way over staffed and one of the cheapest companies to work for. As a sales associate you'll make $7.75/hour and they will only schedule you for 4 -11 hours a week. That is not "part-time" you might as well volunteer that time bc your check every other week will only be maybe $100 and that's saying that they will schedule you for 11 hours a week. Besides the pay and hours, you are placed as "on call" throughout the week so don't make any plans on those days or hours of that day bc when you are "on call" you are expected to be able to come in and work a shift with only a 30 min notice. They also expect you to be able to stay later than your scheduled time and they also expect to be able to call you anytime of the week (not only when your on the call list) and go in and work a shift. Sure, the people are nice and the customers are nice but nobody can live working 4-11 hours a week making $7.75/hour. Also, you are supposed to get a 15 min break, but they never give you that break. You have to ask if you can take a 15 min and sometimes they allow you to and sometimes they don't. The management is just terrible. Good luck t
I cannot believe the District Manager is still with this company and has not received some sort of repercussion for the way she treats her employees. I was talked down to CONSTANTLY. There was no coaching, no constructive criticism, just constant scrutiny and belittling. The DM leads her teams to success through fear instead of motivation and kindness. I was threatened to be written up multiple times once because I was late to a shift from being in an accident on my way back from vacation. There was no inquiry on if I was ok or not, she asked when I would be making it to the store and threatened to write me up. I still in shock, and my car in another state instead of staying home to gather myself stumbled into work to close my store that day out of fear of losing my job. She embarrassed me multiple times during store visits with peers and even called me selfish when I reached out for help and coaching. We were told by other SMs it was in our best interest during her birthday or Christmas to chip in money to get her a gift or else she would know who didn't chip in and would hold it against you. The fact that she has remained in her position for so long is alarming. Corporate obviously is unaware or either overlooking her HR violations because they are seeing dollar signs instead.
The only thing positive that came from my experience there was learning what kind of leader I DID NOT want to be and to never instill fear in my people.
3.0
Customer Service Associate / Cashier | Modesto, CA | Mar 5, 2020
Great Company Values
I loved working for this company. Company pays better than most retailers and the companies core values and benefits were great as well.
Caution; I've never been more discriminated against in any job just because I was a male working in an all female environment. I was constantly approached by friendly customers that appreciated a male's viewpoint, mostly men and grandparents. Assistant managers constantly covered there butts at the expense of the customers or other employees.
Example: an associate accused a customer of theft, the customer went ballistic and trashed the store and the assistant manager ended up in a physical altercation with the customer all well on full display of every customer and their children. Had the associate followed company procedures the trashing of the store and altercation wouldn't have endangered everyone in the store. The associate and assistant manager were never disciplined because the collaborate with each other to force blame on the customer. Perhaps it was due to the management not providing proper training even though it was all listed in company provided binders. You got handed the management binders and told to read it and sign off once you read it even though most of the material required the computer and the manual to understand the procedures.
A typical day is a lot of tasking. Whether its emptying racks to fill the floor or emptying bins, Having tons of tourists shop in the store shopping from a list of items they specifically want. I have learned many things but most of all not to even trust the people you work with. The management and my co-workers have to work a lot on communication. I say this because they always seem to be bickering about something. Either the management doesn't let the employees know that schedules have been changed or employees always calling out from their shifts and not giving sufficient time to have someone else cover their shift. Its a lot of back and forth. In all honesty i don't think that the hard workers (as in the people who always come in when called, always either staying longer or coming in earlier, do the many jobs that they do) are not appreciated as much and are not being paid what they are deserved. There is too kuch promising and not enough doing. The hardest part of the job i say is that there are only mostly women working and dealing with shipment alone is not healthy on a women. Especially when most of us are small and petite and not everyone can lift up 60-70 pounds of boxes. The enjoyable part of the job is meeting the new people that come through the door everyday. I find that all the tourists are amazing whether rude or not.
It's only been about a month since I started working at Carter's, but I love it! It's a really relaxed environment, and my managers and co-workers are really nice. They aren't snobby like a lot of retail managers and co-workers tend to be. They are very helpful, kind and organized. I like that I can talk to them about anything and they aren't scary to approach.
1. Once I've started my shift, I step out to the cash register desk and check the schedule starter to see which area I've be placed in. I read about any promotions or sales that are going on, what our sales goal is for the day, and my manager(s) tell me what's going on in the store or if there are any things they need me to do for that day. Once that's cleared up, I get on the floor and work on my duties, help customers, and just maintain a clean work environment.
2. I've learned how to have better people skills and how to be comfortable approaching customers. I used to be really nervous and scared to talk to customers, but now I'm not afraid anymore. I have developed better people skills, and now I'm more confident with striking up a conversation with just about anyone.
3. Management is good, no, actually, it's excellent! My managers are very well organized and friendly. I can talk to them about anything, they actually care about their employees, and they are always there to help. Of course I don't speak for the management in general for every Carter's location, but my specific location has good manageme
ProsAwesome co-workers and managers, discounts, friendly atmosphere
ConsNot enough hours, no full time positions for sales associates, no benefits
I was hired as a full time supervisor. At Carter's there is favoritism. The company never helps you to grow. They would pretend you that they are helping you, but they don't. You have to learn basically everything by yourself. Almost everyone was a supervisor there where I was hired, and the manager told me to supervise the team. How can you do that when everybody is supervising themselves? Secondly, the upper management never helps you. They will always take their managers back, even if they can see he/she is wrong. Issues are never resolved and you will be finding yourself stressed. Third, it is a stressful environment. They push you to bring sales and if you don't bring sales, you will see your hours cutting down. There was an employee who was hired due to favoritism because the manager knew her from long ago and trained her for advancement for her own benefit. The manager would never work and would stay in the back room. Fourth, the responsibilities wasn't exactly what I was looking forward to. They always tell you to sell the clothes and standing at the sales point. Being as a full time supervisor, they never treated me with the responsibilities of a supervisor. Your work- life balance do not settle together. The manager can usually ask you to come an hour later because the store is not busy. Again, cutting hours! Fifth, there is nothing much to learn and the pay is not fair compared to the pressure they put on us. I wasn't getting full time hours and be sure to read the
ProsEasy Work
ConsNothing to learn, No room for Growth, Stressful Environment, No work- Life Balance
From the get go there has been little to no communication from home office and no help. The home office people expect you to drop everything and respond back to emails right away, but they hardly ever respond when one is sent to them. Their districts are too big which causes DM's to not even remember which store they have talked to or who needed help with what. They do very little training, you are thrown into the job to "sink or swim". It is hard to balance your home life well working here. The pay is moderate at best and your expected to do way more for what you get paid. Bonuses are a joke because they set store targets too high so it is by sure luck that you will hit bonus for your month. And there discount isn't that great it is only on regular priced product and you can only use your discount in your home store. The company needs to stop being cheap and spend money on training all staff from home office people right down to sale associates in stores. This would make the company function more like a well oiled machine versus a circus of drunken monkeys who don't know which end is up. The only plus thing I can say about this company is their product is by far the best, just wish they took as much time on making their product great and put that same enthusiasm in making their people great and show them that they care about their people as much as their product.
ProsStaff in store was great and product was great
ConsEverything else was terrible. Home office is no help. No communiction and little to no training.
Questions And Answers about Carters, Inc
How are the working hours at Carters, Inc?
Asked Feb 25, 2016
It really depends on your availability. Also it can depend on payroll/how many hours management is given to schedule and if they're over or under, as well as the time of the year. I'm part time and some weeks I work 12hrs a week and other times it's like 25hrs a week. If you have a pretty open availability and are a hard worker/well seasoned employee, I feel that you get scheduled more or asked to pick up extra shifts.
Answered Aug 25, 2020
Depends on what type of market your store is in and what position you hold. Payroll fluctuates based on time of year and sales. Typically a part time associate will be scheduled 20 hours or less per week. If you are someone who is willing to pick up shifts as the need arises, you will usually get more hours because of your dependability.
Answered Oct 3, 2019
If you were in charge, what would you do to make Carters, Inc a better place to work?
Asked Oct 8, 2017
Give a better incentive other than a tally mark next to your name if you get a Credit Card. Upper management cannot seem to grasp why someone who works $9/hr for only 8 hours a week isn’t motivated to get any credit cards.
Answered Mar 8, 2021
First of all our registers are from the Stone Age and crash all the time its so bad. another thing is if its slow the manger will keep hounding you with meaningless tasks and make you go up to everyone multiple times to tell them about the credit card and its so uncomfortable for the customer they want to look around and the manager wants you to be on top of them but it just makes their shopping experience unpleasant. pls keep the hours 11-7 no one is going to buy baby clothes at 9pm.. also not to mention the pay I came here after working for a smaller retail store but still got paid more than this huge corporation I with they would appreciate their employees more its actually sad.
Answered Oct 25, 2020
Is there drug testing ?
Asked Nov 30, 2016
No there is not
Answered Aug 15, 2021
No I was not asked to take a drug test
Answered Sep 2, 2020
What benefits does Carters, Inc offer?
Asked Sep 13, 2016
25% discount for all employees. But only management get bonuses, personal time off vacation.
Answered Jan 15, 2019
Health Insurance
Paid time off
Answered Jul 31, 2018
Why did you leave your job at Carters, Inc?
Asked Mar 27, 2017
Working here is actually good for high school and college students if you just want a couple of hours. It’s pretty easy and they were always flexible with my schedule. The only reason i am leaving is because i want more hours and they cannot provide that for me.
Answered Feb 1, 2021
Limited mobility, can't apply for another position within the company without getting store manager approval, very low pay, over-worked.
