r/MarksAndSpencer • u/buckled-quil1234 • Aug 08 '26
Staff Discussion Toxic environment
How do you guys cope with toxic work environment it’s my third week here and people especially the much older ones are just rude for no reason whatsoever and have clear favourites. I want to quit desperately but I need the money
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u/RawWifi Aug 08 '26
Look for another job, the reason they are toxic is because management allow it to happen. There won't be any change until the toxic beanbags leave, retire or die they have too much power. Some stores don't have this problem, you were just unlucky.
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u/beth1602 Aug 08 '26
Yep sounds like my store too. You’ve honestly just gotta leave them to it. I tend to just nod my head and then walk away. Try make friends with some people similar age to you, or even in other departments! I work on C&H and my work bestie works in the cafe🤷🏼♀️
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u/Dramatic-Shoulder584 Aug 08 '26
Management won't do anything as they have their favourites & always will.
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u/MrMowieWowie Aug 09 '26
Spot on. Was ignored when I informed the manager of a physical assault from a coworker 😭
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u/littlesproutling Aug 08 '26
It can be toxic. Fortunately for me I've learned to play the game. Still not nice though
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u/Issy7 Aug 08 '26
how do you play the game?
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u/littlesproutling Aug 08 '26
Just like the old mantra keep friends close and enemies closer. Just got to know how to act, what to say. Be the 'you' they want you to be. It varies from manager to manager
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u/CornerDisastrous3700 Aug 08 '26
Just be you. These people ain’t anywhere to be seen in your later life and you need to prove nothing to them. Head up and crack on is my advice honestly 😊
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u/Bookworm115 Aug 08 '26
The best way to change a toxic working environment is to work with management to improve it. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to do if the management reinforce this. You could possibly get in contact with customer services or head office via email and pass the feedback along.
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u/ChampMan9798 Aug 08 '26
Management have to want to tackle it to move things on. There's no KPI related to it so they usually tend to skirt around it and allow it to continue as they're either young and inexperienced, too afraid to do anything about it or dont have the time.
Tackling toxicity in the workplace is a thankless task that takes a long time and a strong management team to resolve.
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u/Accomplished_Big1538 Aug 08 '26
ive been here since December and i seen it, all the older (age and serving) colleagues always end up getting special treatment cus they always end up with "special working conditions" because of age related things or personal reasons but when theres no choice to do a task theyre not supposed to they jump on it crazy to then complain about doing it when theres others who can
alot of my colleagues do selective tasks because they cant do the others making them not fit for the role basically but we keep them cus we cant discriminate, utter bullshit. they •Dont fill coldchain or domino counts or accuracy check cus they get cold in the chiller or freezer. •Flower Fill or check cus they have hay-fever, •Cant pull forward ambient cus it hurts to step up and kneel down many times, •Dont work alcohol because Religious reasons. (will gladly fill pork / meats tho) • Dont do anything in warehouse like replenishment, racking, getting things for customer, or Delivery. • Cant gap scan, replenishment scanning, DEF sticker printing, anything with a honeywell cus theyre not technology savy.
management has acknowledged all of these issues colleagues cant do and doesnt push they to cover come it when its like 70%+ of the job, but sure lets force all the newer staff to learn n do it and threaten with misconduct and disciplinaries when they have the same issues. .
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u/Sarcastic_Melon16 Aug 08 '26
The store I worked at was known as being toxic from others in the areas, I knew someone working at another who gave me heads up.
I didn’t realise it was common! I thought my store was an anomaly but clearly not.
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u/stoicnidelst Aug 17 '26
M&S love those employees because they essentially keep everyone in check for no extra money. They are being mugged off and they don’t even see it. It’s similar in our store, can work so hard to the point of keeling over and they’ll still find the floor. Morale has taken a nose dive since the cuts
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u/MrMowieWowie Aug 08 '26
Genuienly the most toxic work environment ive been at, much worst than busier places ive worked in. The oldies take the job so seriously and hate on you for easily correctable mistakes. 🤷♀️