assistant store manager

engineering team leader

store manager

seasonal associate

team leader

Saje Natural Wellness

A typical day entails opening/closing the store, which is fairly easy, but involves a lot of repeating the same information 3 times over. The rest of the day is spent assisting customers, cleaning, tidying, restocking, receiving shipments, etc. The most enjoyable part of the job for me was learning about essential oils and working with some really fantastic people. The hardest part of the job was having to explain to customers why so many products were being recalled, and dealing with the many quality control issues. My Store Manager and Assistant Managers were absolutely wonderful, as were my coworkers. Our location had a strict "No Drama" rule, so there was none of the gossip and backstabbing I've experienced at other work places. 

The District Manager and Head Office are completely out of touch with the realities of day to day store operations. Despite being in a recession and an over saturated market, daily and monthly sales targets are unrealistic and unattainable. And, while competitors constantly introduce new and exciting products, Saje just repackages the same old products, making it very hard for staff and customers to get excited. The company's main focus is on "culture", growth, and opening new stores, which has led to an unacceptable level of quality control issues, in addition to extremely slow stock levels. 

There is no job security at Saje at any level. No matter how many years you've been with the company, you could be let go for no good reason without warning. Saje recently "laid off" an entire team without any reason!

Merchandising changes and Inventory always seem to be scheduled during celebratory times (Christmas Eve/Boxing Day, New Year's Eve/Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, etc), making celebrations with friends and family very tricky.

Although Saje claims "competitive" wages, the pay is unlivable and woefully low. Upper management claims that sales bonuses will make up for the pitifully low wages, but with unattainable sales targets the vast majority of stores haven't had a bonus in over a year. And the benefits package is an absolute waste of your money.

Saje is HUGE on ramming their "culture" down your throat, which makes it a very CULTish place to work. If you have a family or interests/friends outside of Saje, this CULTure poses a big problem, as the company expects employees to eat, breathe, and live Saje 24/7/365. 

For a company selling "wellness", Saje shows blatant disregard for the wellness of their staff, which is hypocritical.

Depending on your location/management team, Saje can be a fun, rewarding and educational place to work.

Let me preface this by saying that I was a points collecting, diehard, regular/frequent Saje shopper for nearly a decade. I recommended and gifted the products to family, friends, and coworkers. Saje was my ride or die. I always thought it looked like such a marvelous place to work, so last fall I applied for a part time, seasonal position. Who couldn't use some extra cash for Christmas?

I have to say, I really enjoyed my coworkers. They were a really lovely group! My store management team was also great, and the manager was so hard working and dedicated and put in so much overtime, yet she was always a dream to work for. I later heard that she had been let go without cause or warning after her hard work and dedication for the past 5 years. And, I recently heard that Saje let an entire store go without reason. They apparently decided to relocate the store, but decided they'd rather hire all new staff, rather than work with the great group of people they already had. 

Unfortunately, I didn't stay long due to the way Saje is run. The district manager seemed to play favorites, and relentlessly bullied my manager. The sales goals were unrealistically high and unattainable. Head office seemed to be totally out of touch with reality and the staff at the retail level, choosing to blindly lord over the company from their ivory towers in Vancouver and Toronto.

The pressure to sell, sell, sell and upsell was incredible. And, on top of it all, there was never enough inventory, and quality control issues were common place. Add to that having to be indoctrinated in the company culture, and the expectation that you'd bathe in it was just too weird and time consuming for me. Saje culture is akin to a religion. And, if you have a full life outside of the company, you'll simply have to choose between that and Saje culture, because the company wants all your time and attention.

Wages are woefully low. I was told the bonus program would more than make up for the lack of hourly pay, but I later found out that since the recession hit, nobody had seen a bonus all year. So, I assume the unrealistically high sales targets save Saje from having to pay out bonus cheques. 

After my very short experience working at Saje, and seeing what goes on behind the scenes, I can tell you I will no longer support a company that is so hypocritical and treats its staff so poorly. For a company that is all about "living wellness", they have absolutely no regard for the health and wellness of their staff.

Opening Shift:

Removing the tarp, setting various essential oils in their proper place, cash count, setting up computer, and turning on the lights and various other devices and business is open in 25 minutes. 

Closing Shift:

Replacing the tarp, putting away various essential oils, cash count, putting cash in deposit box, setting up computer, and shutting things down within 30 minutes. 

A typical day at work:

Assisting customers that happen to take interest in what products are sold at the kiosk. If anyone has previous knowledge of the products, it is always fun to chat with them about how well the products have worked for them, for what ailments, and what combination of essential oils go well together. Typically, there is a high peak, and low peak throughout the day. If I am not terribly busy with working with customers, and finished maintaining the appearance of the kiosk, there is time to refresh or update my knowledge on the essential oils and check out future products that I could recommend to my customers. If there is literally nothing to do, I like to bring a book and just read a page or two to keep me stimulated because one would typically work solo. 

The hardest part of the job:

Not getting bored. 

What I learned:

Essential oils are incredible discoveries. There are combinations of essential oils to help alleviate certain physical ailments without harsh side affects from pharmaceutical drugs (I am not advertising nor promoting, purely an informed statement). Like previously mentioned, because I worked solo, I learned how to manage my time with each customer by addressing their needs head on: acknowledge, find out why they are here, what they need, and what would benefit them, and leaving them with a good impression that they made the right choice. 

The most enjoyable part of the job:

Working alone.

Management:

My manager at the time was absolutely fantastic because they were very accommodating of my needs. (Schedule changes; if I fell ill)

I've worked with the company for four years and loved most of my time there. When my original (amazing) manager went on maternity leave, I had three temporary managers whom were on contracts. My entire team had quit at one point because they didn't agree with the management and didn't want to deal with the drama of bringing on yet another new manager, yet I was stuck in the position due to school. Now that I have graduated, I can't wait to start my career and take off for the hills running from this nightmare. 

The current management team at the store is very cliquey and power-hungry; their inexperience is showing through their actions and words towards team members. And they'll threaten to take away your hours or send you home early if you're not always feeling and acting 10/10. Honestly, during my first couple years, Saje has helped me grow as a person with their culture, but the current management team has their eyes focused solely on numbers and not on team member wellness, work/life balance, and caring for the financial security of their staff. You work way too hard for what the company will pay you, and poor management won't fight for you to be paid any differently (no matter how long you've worked there).

After being there for four years, I still have very little respect from anybody in the company and feel degraded, especially since I'm still making only minimum wage.

When I was working way back before they started adding and changing their culture. It was very laid back, customer orientated, team was great (as long as management was both mentally and emotionally well). 

There was no aggressiveness in sales. The team genuinely cared and listened to the clientele's concerns while sharing their knowledge about the products. Now it's like any other retailing place which is all about the money, no matter what they think or say, it all comes down to the sales which is how a business is.

I do agree with a lot of the current reviews that the culture is very intense, you will need to breathe, sleep, and wake up into the Saje culture - there isn't a choice. The culture means well and teaches you life changing/motivating lessons but for the pay, it isn't enough for you to take home with you.

The work environment really comes down to the Management Team. If the Store Manager is toxic, the store will not run well and you will not enjoy working there. Ensure that you are analyzing the Store Manager and interviewing them as well when you are getting interviewed before jumping onto the team. 

For Saje as an overall company, before they can move forward and become a successful and healthy retailer, they'll need to reach back to their roots and tend to each of their stores in depth. A district manager can monitor and do so much. Encourage and teach your sales associate on how to document inappropriate management behavior, that way they feel like they are a valuable pillar to the company and not just a pawn to throw away.

It used to be a great place to work at, but as they started getting popular, the quality of product, treatment of team members went down hill.  They are more concerned with opening new stores, hiring for head office, than improving their products or coming out with new items.  The owners have no idea what is going on or do not care, because you are not allowed to complain.  It is a big no-no to "criticize" or comment on anything that may be bad.

If you do not subscribe their beliefs, do not expect to move up in the company (they rather hire outside than promote within and the District Manager plays favorites) and if you are expecting decent pay, you should look elsewhere.  They do not pay well to their staff (they think that the "bonuses" make up for unlivable wages, but what you to be here as a lifer), but have no problem spending money on events that only head office can enjoy, trips for only managers and head office.  For a company that is all into "health and wellness", they are missing the mark, their benefits are only for managers and assistant managers and it is not very good.

Typical day at work: help customers, demo product on the customers, answer any questions, restock, tidy, set the store to company standards.  Easy opening and closing procedures though some of it is redundant.

The location I worked at was fabulous, worked with a great team and had fun every day, which made it the most enjoyable part of the job.

There is good and bad things about the company. Honestly, they think they are the best in this business, so they never create anything new, it is always the same thing. They always do a premium thing: if you purchase a certain amount you can get something for a certain amount and the pressure to sell this thing is ridiculous. If the head office thinks the store is not doing good enough, they drop by to teach the same thing all over again. Then, you have the mystery shoppers, who goes twice or three times every month! So, basically, you have to mention EVERYTHING, EVERYTIME for EVERYBODY, even if they are there to buy ONE soap. It can be pretty annoying.
The products are ridiculously expensive but employees have 50% discount, which is nice.
The management is lazy, they give their job for you to do and they get credit for it. 
The company only think about growing and expanding and sometimes don't even have enough supply for one store! People are waiting for the body butters to be "reformulated" for almost a year and still nothing. Then, if you work on the floor, you have to be constantly apologizing for mistakes that the company makes and it is very embarrassing.
The good thing is that the girls are amazing to work with and very fun to be around. 
The head office is very stubborn and sometimes they don't even talk to the people at the floor. For a wellness company, it seems they go completely against what they preach.

I worked at the 4th Street SW location in Calgary.  This is a street front store, so there are no evening hours available.  If I opened, it took about a half hour to count/verify the opening float, open computer programs, fill the nebulizers, and make tea.  If closing, it took about a half hour to cash out and tidy up.

The Team was very close-knit and I made real friendships.  Everyone worked very cohesively as a team and gossiping was not tolerated and was non-existent.

The Store Manager is everyone's dream boss.  She expects everyone to pull their weight but doesn't expect her Team to do any tasks that she herself doesn't do.  She doesn't micromanage but trusts the Team will get all tasks done, putting customer service first and foremost.  Coaching is on-going and the Management Team always asks what the Team Members feel they need assistance with.  I learned a LOT from the Manager, who is a Certified Aromatherapist and Master Herbalist.

The hardest part of the job was learning all the product information, but the Manager is a phenomenal instructor and is generous with sharing her considerable knowledge with the Team and with customers.

The most enjoyable part of the job was being encouraged to develop my wellness and personal growth, while learning so much and being a part of such a great Team.

I worked there 3 consecutive summers from 2016-2018 and I loved my Saje fam while I was working there and learned so much! The culture is great, I felt very comfortable and welcomed when I first joined the team. The company culture is really integrated into the workday and there was so much support between the various teams. My managers and supervisors were caring and friendly, they were not just my superiors but my friends and I felt encouraged and supported by them. 

My favourite things to do in the production area were packaging products into the boxes or ones that require sticker labelling. However, my favourite role was definitely in ecommerce. I especially loved working in the ecommerce area helping pick and pack for online orders because I got to see new orders every day! I also loved helping restock the shelves and receive stock for the shelves to organize and see everything all neat and ready to go for the next day.

Although management did change the second and third times I returned, I still enjoyed working there. There was quite a lot more change in management during my third summer and it felt a little disorganized; the culture wasn't as good then but the teammembers and work were still enjoyable. I still keep in touch with many of my previous colleagues and my love for my Saje fam continues!

I loved my coworkers at Saje. Genuinely, the people I worked with made the job amazing. I really enjoyed the amount of learning that was available, which made me feel well equipped for the job. There was a lot of time spent on training when I was on-boarded, so I felt safe in my product knowledge and ready to interact with people. I found myself very comfortable with customers, but in the event that you are uncomfortable with getting close and putting product on a customer’s skin directly, this may not be the job for you.
Company culture has shifted over the years. Originally, a lot of the job was based around the Seven Spiritual Laws of Deepak Chopra and the Enneagram. For those unfamiliar with the Enneagram, it is a form of personality typing. There was once an issue within the company where staff were being hired, according to their Enneagram type, rather than their skill. As far as I know, this has been rectified since, as the two tools were put out of practice, but I’m not sure what the company culture is like without having these tools in place. Saje tends to attract eclectic likeminded people, which is a huge reason why people love the job but if there’s no easy way of teambuilding anymore, I’m not sure how much I can recommend the company. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Assistant store manager 41 salaries reported	$23.09 per hour
Engineering team leader 43 salaries reported	$20.14 per hour
Store manager 14 salaries reported	$64,571 per year
Seasonal associate 25 salaries reported	$18.46 per hour
Team leader 18 salaries reported	$20.21 per hour

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