Working at Lidl (Store Management)
Discussion
TL:DR - Is Lidl a good or bad employer?
As a bit of background I'm 26, have a mortgage, a wife and 2 month old baby so it's important that I keep a reasonable income and can't afford to go back and retrain. If I make a career move it has to be sideways in terms of pay.
I've been with my current employer since I graduated uni and it's specific to my degree. I know I could stay here and make a good career out of this path but deep down I know I'm struggling to perform (I'm a middle of the road kinda guy) and I'm bored in the 9-5 office environment. One major benefit to to this current role is the flexibility with working hours but ultimately I'm not happy here. There is also a chance our office will be moving soon which will make my commute much worse.
I've been offered to interview for role in Lidl store management but it's completely different to what I currently do. My main worry is that I move and hate it and I can't go back into my current industry. I know Lidl expect their employees to work hard and I've heard that managers are on 47.5 hr weeks but this can typically run to 60 hours unpaid overtime. I understand this once in a while but if it's all the time then the good salary becomes very average. The following link paints a very grim picture.
http://franklludwig.com/lidl.html
Is there anyone here with experience who can shed some light on what the working practices are like? Is it really a slave workhouse where you can't take a break and are expected to do 10+ hours unpaid overtime every week?
As a bit of background I'm 26, have a mortgage, a wife and 2 month old baby so it's important that I keep a reasonable income and can't afford to go back and retrain. If I make a career move it has to be sideways in terms of pay.
I've been with my current employer since I graduated uni and it's specific to my degree. I know I could stay here and make a good career out of this path but deep down I know I'm struggling to perform (I'm a middle of the road kinda guy) and I'm bored in the 9-5 office environment. One major benefit to to this current role is the flexibility with working hours but ultimately I'm not happy here. There is also a chance our office will be moving soon which will make my commute much worse.
I've been offered to interview for role in Lidl store management but it's completely different to what I currently do. My main worry is that I move and hate it and I can't go back into my current industry. I know Lidl expect their employees to work hard and I've heard that managers are on 47.5 hr weeks but this can typically run to 60 hours unpaid overtime. I understand this once in a while but if it's all the time then the good salary becomes very average. The following link paints a very grim picture.
http://franklludwig.com/lidl.html
Is there anyone here with experience who can shed some light on what the working practices are like? Is it really a slave workhouse where you can't take a break and are expected to do 10+ hours unpaid overtime every week?
Thanks for all the replies. I'm absolutely torn even though I haven't been to the interview yet. The long hours would definitely put a strain on family life. My wife is a nurse so when she goes back to work there would be no-one to collect our boy from child care etc. which seems trivial now but could be a big concern over time.
I think I'm talking myself out of this opportunity but I know I've already mentally checked out of my current job. I'll still go the interview as it'll be good experience.
I think I'm talking myself out of this opportunity but I know I've already mentally checked out of my current job. I'll still go the interview as it'll be good experience.
What an eye opener! Thank you so much for all the detailed replies and especially the PM from fossilfuelled. I hope you feel better soon and maybe use this downtime to think about what's important.
I've decided I'm not going to go to the interview and the job search will continue. I enjoy fixing things and working with my hands and I have an engineering degree so maybe some kind of front line maintenance would suit me better than the office job.
I've always said that too many men are tricked into thinking they need to provide money for their families when what they actually need to provide is time and love to their children. If I went for this job I would be prioritising the money and would either be absent or too tired to see my son grow up.
Thanks again for showing me this isn't the right move.
I've decided I'm not going to go to the interview and the job search will continue. I enjoy fixing things and working with my hands and I have an engineering degree so maybe some kind of front line maintenance would suit me better than the office job.
I've always said that too many men are tricked into thinking they need to provide money for their families when what they actually need to provide is time and love to their children. If I went for this job I would be prioritising the money and would either be absent or too tired to see my son grow up.
Thanks again for showing me this isn't the right move.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff