Business Insider UK this morning published a detailed interview with someone claiming to be a UK Apple retail employee which provides an intriguing insight into what it's like to work in an Apple Store.
The interview is unusual because every Apple staffer signs a confidentiality agreement on their first day in the job, which apparently prevents them from speaking publicly or announcing their new employment on social media, and even bans them from taking a selfie wearing their Apple T-shirt.
According to the veteran staffer - who remained anonymous in fear that Apple would pursue a legal action against them - Apple pays about £8 per hour in the UK (around $11.70) and staff receive no bonus incentives for sales, leaving many unable to afford the products they sell.
The worker claims that although positions in the company's stores are highly prized, Apple doesn't promote internally in the UK either, and that staff are prevented from transferring from part-time to full-time employment as a matter of policy.
"We had between five and eight store managers during my time at the store, of varying kinds," says the staffer. "Only one of them had started at Apple, the rest had been recruited from elsewhere - from, say, Dixons or HMV."
According to the worker, Apple Store staff routinely face death threats from unhappy customers, and receive no benefit if they manage to sell an enterprise contract to a business customer worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
There are some advantages to working at an Apple Store though, says the employee. Staff get a generous discount on Apple products, a 15% discount on AAPL shares, and occasional direct access to CEO Tim Cook.
Apple declined to comment when contacted by Business Insider. The in-depth interview - which also reveals what happens if you come to work carrying a Samsung phone - can be read in full here.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Article Link: Apple Store Worker Says Staff Routinely Get Death Threats From Customers
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Apple Store Worker Says Staff Routinely Get Death Threats From Customers
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I remember reading the story Jobs told about HP. Says a lot about where Apple seems to be today. It is bureaucratic, though - anytime you have a company that gets that big, and oversight is one of the first things to go. It is how employees end up being treated like livestock. Sad, really. Apple could take a lesson from Chobani, they know how to ensure employees feel like they are a part of something - by giving them a share of the profits. The company does well, so does their share.
I miss the old Apple as corny as that sounds. It used to be about form + function. Now it is played up as a brand name, in a manufactured cult setting.
Hunting cats in that manner may not actually be legal. There are in fact legal methods of euthanizing stray felines. It's also common to spay or neuter cats, then release them again. Anyway it's still a good reason to avoid facebook. Too many people discover **** that way.
Not buying it. These guys are all very cheerful, extremely helpful, and without negativity. He even mentions that some have been there for years. Sorry, but you aren't like that and staying there if life is so bad. Death threats? Lmao.
"The vast majority"? Just because you say it is "fact" doesn't mean it's actually a fact. I understand the meaning of evidence, this article interviewing a staff member is an evidential account. Staff in customer service are trained to "be happy to customers", but this has nothing to do with how staff truly feel about their jobs and working for Apple. There are many accounts of staff coming forward to discuss their poor treatment and pressurized work experience at Apple.
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You might not be "buying it", however staff in customer service are trained to be happy and cheerful to customers, but this has nothing to do with how staff truly feel about their jobs and working for Apple. There are many accounts of staff coming forward to discuss their poor treatmentand pressurized work experience at Apple
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Great article linked above. Certainly not corny to miss old Apple.
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Wow. Just wow. And I moan about my job in a supermarket!
I did apply to work for Apple some time ago... I know there are two sides to every story but I'm so glad they never replied.
I did apply to work for Apple some time ago... I know there are two sides to every story but I'm so glad they never replied.
I'm sure it's not the worst job in the world. In fact this person says it's not bad for a retail job and pays better than most.
But it sux if staff are cut out of promotion and advancement opportunities. Are the higher level staff worried that some of the base staff are better? Is Tim Cook worried that someone could rise from the ranks of genius to CEO? Does this ruffle their innate superiority complex?
But it sux if staff are cut out of promotion and advancement opportunities. Are the higher level staff worried that some of the base staff are better? Is Tim Cook worried that someone could rise from the ranks of genius to CEO? Does this ruffle their innate superiority complex?
Apple is nothing if not brilliant at the game of influence.
They've built the highest grossing, wealthiest company in the world via the great story they peddle.
Staffing the stores with poorly paid employees willing to work for, what is in many cases, less than they could easily earn elsewhere.
All because Apple's expertise is getting people to do what Apple wants them to.
They've built the highest grossing, wealthiest company in the world via the great story they peddle.
Staffing the stores with poorly paid employees willing to work for, what is in many cases, less than they could easily earn elsewhere.
All because Apple's expertise is getting people to do what Apple wants them to.
I worked as a Genius at an Apple Store for a little over two years and a lot of the statements in the interview do actually happen.
The managers (and corporate) did focus a lot on Apple Care and about the different ways to make the customer think they need it. Now, Apple Care is a great idea and after seeing the repair costs for each computer they sell, is worth the extra money. For iPhones and iPads I really saw its value when high school and college students came in after a good night out. The downside of the "pressure" to attach it to every device is the employee who is selling it and the lies that are told just to get the sale but more important, that "promoter" on the NPP survey. To "Apple Care covers liquid damage on your MacBook and you can get it repaired for free.." and "I had my phone stolen but I was told Apple Care covers that", I've heard it all.
The death threats are somethings I haven't personally had but seen them happen to others (which after it happened the entire store talked about it).
Apple Retail IS 100% different then Apple Corporate. Getting the opportunity to experience life at 1 Infinite Loop several times over my career at Apple, I was able to see this first hand. The lifestyle, culture, workflow, etc..it's nothing like the Retail side and was missed when I returned to the store.
A lot of other things in the interview I did experience as well (The feedback sessions were..fun?). All in all, it was a great company to work for and most of the people there become good friends, which is rare. All that aside, it was a good experience and a great stepping stone but I would never go back.
When you working at retail environment, you have to cheerful and without negativity... This is only way you will ever get any sales. You won't get any sales if you looked stressed or under pressure. Sometimes you have to fake it. This is nature of retail environment... I am working at retail banking environment
Trust me, I can look to be the happiest person in the earth when I am facing client, but the stress and sales target really make me hate the job.
Yeah, that's a funny stereotype of Apple users that I've never found to be true in my day-to-day life. In fact, it defies common sense when you stop and think about it. Someone who knows little to nothing about computers is going to be more prone to choosing the thing that they see everyone else using. If someone has knowledge and develops an opinion that leads them go off the beaten path to get a Mac, it stands to reason that they know a little something more than the usual computer buyer. I don't know a lot of Mac users who know little to nothing about tech.
Apple employee gets hard time when bringing in Samsung phone...
On the other headline, Eric Schmidt got caught using iPhone 6s.
I don't know what to say at this point...
On the other headline, Eric Schmidt got caught using iPhone 6s.
I don't know what to say at this point...
Wow, 10 pages already.
Few questions, since I don't live in the UK.
1) How does their salary compare to the industry norm? Bonuses? Overtime? Benefits?
2) Apple seems to have no problems finding employees, for all the complaints and criticisms levelled against their working conditions. Are times that bad? Are the people really so brainwashed? Or are there other upsides we aren't seeing reflected here?
I do wish there were more opportunities for internal promotions. If a person stays on for the long run, he likely has the knowledge and experience, and it seems a waste to let them go.
Few questions, since I don't live in the UK.
1) How does their salary compare to the industry norm? Bonuses? Overtime? Benefits?
2) Apple seems to have no problems finding employees, for all the complaints and criticisms levelled against their working conditions. Are times that bad? Are the people really so brainwashed? Or are there other upsides we aren't seeing reflected here?
I do wish there were more opportunities for internal promotions. If a person stays on for the long run, he likely has the knowledge and experience, and it seems a waste to let them go.
I work in a phone store and this sounds like my job without the pressure to sell.
Sales incentives drive people to sell the wrong thing and be dodgey. It sucks.
Being a phone store we get the worse rap for things so constant angry customers. People love Apple so this sounds better than a phone store.
The fact that don't internally promote is annoying but.
Sales incentives drive people to sell the wrong thing and be dodgey. It sucks.
Being a phone store we get the worse rap for things so constant angry customers. People love Apple so this sounds better than a phone store.
The fact that don't internally promote is annoying but.
Hmmm, the hardware on my 2013 retina MacBook Pro seems fine to me, boots up fast and everything runs quickly. Not sure why I'd want a different piece of hardware with an OS that is just, in your words, "bearable?"
I think the problem is not with the average Apple Store employee. I've had a number of interactions at many stores and most all of them were exceptional.
The problem enlies with society- I've seen the way the public treats geniuses and it's sickening. Working in healthcare and dealing with the public can be miserable. I like to justify the excuse they are sick and stressed, the same can be true for people walking in an Apple Store- spiritually sick if nothing else.
If someone threatens to kill you call the police and kick them out of the store. I don't see much that Apple Corporate can do to decrease the number of death threats their employees receive and no amount of pay increases or benefits will make dealing with death threats "worth it". If Apple fails to address reported threats, that's another issue but simple to rectify. I haven't heard any reports of Apple Store employee murders and therefore wouldn't call the job particularly dangerous.
When I was in pharmacy school I had an internship at a national chain. I worked with a pharmacist who was temporarily transferred to my store after refusing to fill and reporting a guy with a fake narcotic script to the police and getting death threats from him. She called corporate and they made her call the police and press charges. The guy went to jail for both the fake script and death threat and she has a restraining order.
Whether you are payed $25k/yr vs $30k/yr as a sales associate or $130k/yr as a healthcare professional, a death threat is a death threat. And one's life is worth far more than any of those figures.
The problem enlies with society- I've seen the way the public treats geniuses and it's sickening. Working in healthcare and dealing with the public can be miserable. I like to justify the excuse they are sick and stressed, the same can be true for people walking in an Apple Store- spiritually sick if nothing else.
If someone threatens to kill you call the police and kick them out of the store. I don't see much that Apple Corporate can do to decrease the number of death threats their employees receive and no amount of pay increases or benefits will make dealing with death threats "worth it". If Apple fails to address reported threats, that's another issue but simple to rectify. I haven't heard any reports of Apple Store employee murders and therefore wouldn't call the job particularly dangerous.
When I was in pharmacy school I had an internship at a national chain. I worked with a pharmacist who was temporarily transferred to my store after refusing to fill and reporting a guy with a fake narcotic script to the police and getting death threats from him. She called corporate and they made her call the police and press charges. The guy went to jail for both the fake script and death threat and she has a restraining order.
Whether you are payed $25k/yr vs $30k/yr as a sales associate or $130k/yr as a healthcare professional, a death threat is a death threat. And one's life is worth far more than any of those figures.
Hear hear.
In my previous job at a gas station we used to get people wanting the bathroom.
We didn't have any on the premises (for customers) and the amount of abuse I used to get for saying "no" (even though I was always polite) was absolutely uncalled for.
There are ways and means of talking to people; getting angry and abusive isn't one of them.
Apple is a company with policies greatly mimicking Chinese laws and policies, especially regarding the secrecy and payment, as well as public exposure.
Kinda hard to understand why Apple could set a foothold in China while Google was removed forcefully. Now I think I can understand. Apple is just another form of current China, as a tech giant.
Kinda hard to understand why Apple could set a foothold in China while Google was removed forcefully. Now I think I can understand. Apple is just another form of current China, as a tech giant.
Actually, employees have leeway within the company policy. Shouting at them will make sure they do as little for you as they can. You'll usually get the best results by making the employee _want_ to help you, and by making them feel like a hero for helping you.
You have good friends! They are right.
[doublepost=1464508635][/doublepost]The article/interview is absolutely terrible with the only intention to put Apple into a bad light. The guy himself is repeatedly saying that it isn't so bad to work there yet the interviewer tries to draw a different picture in his way how he phrases his questions and choice of questions. This news article is just out to get as much attention as possible which is easily achieved by writing negativly about Apple.
Wow. They get 15% AAPL shares? How do they pull that off? They would have to coordinate with a brokerage to do that.