sales associate

department manager

cashier

shipping and receiving clerk

service technician

Sporting Life

Don't work too hard or go above and beyond. This company only rewards their favourites, who are usually on the sales floor. I was initially sales but went into warehouse/ecom (undefined since they can't retain any staff for long). I was overworked and my wage was terrible, working multiple roles and covering for other departments that I really had no business in. My role was supposed to be in the ecommerce and warehouse, but instead I was called aside too many times to perform heavy lifting, customer service (in store and calls too), cleaning (sweep, dust, organize documents and products), visual help (folding, tagging and hanging) and back to sales - despite me agreeing to  a different position and making it clear. They made me lift heavy things (beyond my role) stop my own work to "supervise an unlocked door" or "cover a sales person's break" which set me further behind and stressed me out. They made me clean bathrooms/messes which is a janitors' role (they cut back on professional janitorial services and instead make staff do the cleaning, including biohazard).  I also took my own initiative to organize the disasters in the store many times, and I'd clean up messy desks and displays because nobody else would. I'd help customers by being kind and honest with them in their decision making, and I'd often carry their heavy items for them (yet several grown male employees would never come help me). The customers often told me they were so thankful for my help, and even offered me to "work for them someday, haha"! And yet, management saw all of this too, and would never reward me with the monthly "activity prize" (employee of the month receives a free activity like tennis sessions). Instead, they'd often choose the rudest, most lazy sales staff who have never worked a day in their life, and would show up to work barely paying attention to customers. Management plays favourites. At this location, our manager often rewarded the loudest chatterboxes instead, and these chatterboxes would never help their own department out - let alone go above and beyond to help customers! That reflects to me that the people Sporting Life chooses now do not actually value hardworking staff who work behind the scenes, and they do not even pay commission to those who work upfront. I am appalled by the lack of good management here. Everyone is a flake and they hire too many clowns who don't care about anything - which is not what Sporting Life is supposed to be! They should hire solid people (I can list several) who demonstrate that they're here to improve the business, not infect it with their selfishness! Instead, this location praises the useless staff who stand around and gossip, and then these same staff receive the employee of the month reward! Meanwhile, others have been working to the bone and are treated as lesser! I formally quit after the massive disrespect I received over the years, and they didn't even have the decency to say goodbye! They are also very incompetent with their practices - and never answer the phone, leading to staff having to use an app to cover their shifts last minute, and then reprimanding them for doing so. Make up your minds. As for you who has read through this, I suggest you work anywhere else part time - you won't find happiness here unless you like doing sales for no commission and working amongst a lot of people who turn off their brains and empathy.
This company needs a massive rehiring event from top to bottom, because the only competent people I've met are in Operations.

This place does not lack nice co-workers. Only a handful have visible attitude problems, any genuine person would avoid. Typical of this workplace is a often confused and incompetent sr. management. They never seem to get it right with the number of people necessary to run the store, thus affecting scheduling in any season, and inundating others who are scheduled to work, with more tasks. The sr. managers are more into spreading myths, such as come now, go there, stand here, look behind you, there's a customer, and some 'sales science' which only makes sense to them, instead of developing a forward looking vision based on modern tools and analysis. There is zero room for advancement and even if sr. management proposes a path, they will never follow through.

The department managers are more often than not catering to the same myths the sr. management is spreading. Pushing nonsensical policies seems to be a constant at this location, such as asking for permission to use the washroom and refill the water bottle, as well as frequent prompts to stalk customers even if they are just passing through the store or hang out at the clearance rack. This is because sales techniques and product knowledge are not required. To the contrary of what is being transpired - the holy grail is loss prevention by having enough warm bodies on the floor.

People working here are treated with respect only before they sign their employment papers. Later on, it's either playing the guilt trip or dunno game by sr. management when it comes to keeping blocked off days unscheduled. That's because sr. management cares about their own goals only. Nobody really seems to know when someone is going to be 'promoted' or let go. Lots of backroom chatter and complaining. A min. wage compensation is a joke compared to the upkeeping tasks (incl. washroom clean) employees are asked to do, often up to one hour after store close.

Favouritism and privileges are alive and well here, allowing some people to do what they want, whereas others are getting lectures and reprimands. There's a lot of merchandisers. However, it happens that, more often than not, they push replenishments and standards upkeep onto employees instead of doing the work themselves.

VERDICT: Avoid and work elsewhere if you can. This is a subpar workplace compared to other fun sport or fashion retail outlets; shiny from the outside, poor culture inside. No commission, no rewards, no employee profit sharing. Just a limited store credit. Nonsensical store policies, awful management, some older employees fighting for sales goals that are not only unrealistic but as if they'd get something out of it. There is no employee profit sharing pool, which is the only conceivable and fair trade-off among different departments of which some make more sales than others.

The biggest goof at this location is that of the Canadian consumer missing out. Allowing a VIP client, who rips through sought after merchandise before it even hits the floor, and funnel it to other markets for which it wasn't destined for in the first place. This speaks volumes about the profit machine that wants to see sales numbers only. With a complete disregard for customers in the community we live in.

Disclaimer: sr. management = store & assistant store manager(s)

Sorry this is long but it's worth the read if you're considering working at Sporting Life. I worked part time at the Sporting Life in Calgary until I had to quit. Some weeks I would have to work 25 hours and other weeks I wouldn't be scheduled at all. When I applied they said we would be working 15 hours per week but it turned out that we would work less or more than that. My boyfriend worked at the same place and he got fired on his birthday because we were "over staffed" even though we had just hired 45 new people. They gave us commission but it was 0.01%. Why even bother? The schedule would say something like 1-Close but everyday we'd have to stay either 30, 40, or even 80 minutes after we close in order to vacuum, organize, check change rooms, fold, wipe down mirrors, etc. That would happen everyday. There was also one manager that said she "didn't give 15 minute breaks to people who work 5 to close". We are supposed to get 15 breaks for 5 to close but that manager decided we weren't allowed them. I didn't feel appreciated or respected. I quit because my managers made me cry. I was a great employee, never missed a shift, never complained, I was always friendly. I was always worried about being fired for no reason. My managers were talking badly about me while on the sales floor, I could hear them clearly. My manager came up to me and threatened to send me home because I wasn't selling enough. When I told my other manager about it she didn't believe me. That day, I wasn't feeling well and I was in an unfamiliar department because I took someone's shift. They didn't cut me any slack, they said I was on the bottom of the sales list even though I talked to 3 other people who literally sold nothing all day, and I had already sold 5 things. So that was a lie. They compared me to other co-workers making me feel bad about myself. There's a list in the break room that has everyone ranked based on how much they had sold. It made it into such a competition and a hostile work environment. Many people I worked with also had the same complaints. DO NOT WORK HERE. The only pro about working here were the other employees. I made quite a few friends. They were all nice people. It was just the terrible managers who were on a power trip. Talking to some of the customers was nice too because I would get to hear stories and meet some very friendly people. The one thing that wasn't good about customers was that they would get annoyed because every employee would ask them how they were doing. The managers would get mad if we didn't talk to every customer we see so I understand the customers' anger.

Honestly the coworkers here are amazing but the management at the Yorkdale Location is atrocious. There are 2 competent department managers(we have 6). One of them just puts unnecessary stress on his coworkers and the other just flirts with the male coworkers in the store. Both footwear managers are good at what they do. The store manager is actually incompetent. He’ll argue with employees on the floor in front of customers. The hardgoods manager is decent and everyone loves our softgoods manager (she is actually amazing, she should be the store manager.) Sporting life does a good job at hiring, most of the hires are good people but they will not train you. You get one orientation then after that you’re on your own. The managers are condescending and love micromanaging. Enough with management, let’s talk about how this place treats you. They will book you outside your availability then blame you when they book you outside it. When you complain about something to HR they don’t take you seriously and brush it off. You get paid minimum wage but if you already have good retail experience they leave room to negotiate. Our star program is horrible. The star program is essentially a commission rate of 0.001 percent (Not 0.01) When winter comes along if you are a seasoned worker believe me when I tell you they need you more than you need them. Sporting life used to do an excellent job at providing PK. We used to have one every day or every other day with different brands, now we’re lucky to have one pk session every other week. The morale is so low around the store and you feel that when you start working here. All of our complaints go unnoticed so I’m hoping a higher up sees this review and starts taking us seriously. With all of that said, there are worse places you could work and if you have no experience or are in school looking for something parttime, this could be he place for you

Really really awful place to work. The store is going to look phenomenal and it will make you feel cool hanging out in it. 

But that is pretty much where it ends. 

They only pay minimum wage, which is garbage for how much work they expected us to do to help them get the store put together and ready for opening. And on top of that, not really any appreciation for us working so hard and doing things not in the job description. I get that the store isn't even open yet and that there's work to be done before we open and just get to sell clothing and footwear, but there was zero appreciation for what we were doing and if we took even the shortest 30 second breather a manager would be there to call us out and get us back to work. 

The stress was real high amongst the managers, and they didn't hesitate to take it out on the peasants making minimum wage, making for an uncomfortable work environment. 

And this is where I reached my breaking point. When the schedule was released. They assured me in the interview they could work around my previous commitments I had before accepting the job at Sporting Life, and even signed off on it on paper. But then the schedule came out and they accommodated maybe one day of the week to my previous commitments. Upon emailing the scheduler about this confusion, I was just told that they never agreed to anything, and that they would "do their best" to accommodate, but if I was scheduled for a day that conflicted with my prior commitments, it was my responsibility to either find someone to cover or to show up and work. What a joke. 

Joke of a company, run by some pretty incompetent clowns. The warehouse manager is a huge jerk when they're stressed.

The hard goods department is run by a couple cool dudes though.

A typical day at work was bringing items onto the floor, hard tagging items, either upstairs or downstairs or both at times. Bagging at cash. Co-Workers are really nice as well.Most enjoyable part are the employees, and the hardest part was just the hours in general. 

I was 16 at the time when I was working at Sporting Life, so therefore I was a part-time worker and a student. In Ontario, students are required to work about 5 hours on weekdays when school is in process and 8 hours on Weekends. I wouldn't recommend a student working here. My typical schedule was working Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays. Tuesdays & Thursdays my schedule was 5:00-10:30, & keep in mind I lived in Scarborough and had to take the transit. You are also required a break after 4 hours and It was rare that I had my breaks. On Sundays I was scheduled from 9:30AM-8:00PM. That is 11 in a half hours. Students shouldn't be working those hours. It was also about an hour and a half bus ride home. And since I worked on Sundays and the trains weren't running until 9:00 am, I had to take the bus routes downtown, so I had to be up by 6:00 am. It is really hard for students to be working those hours! We have school and that needs to accommodated. I was also scheduled to work at 6:00am-5:30pm on boxing day. Therefore I would have to be up 4:00am and It was a hassle to get my schedule changed when I shouldn't even have been booked for such timing. Reasons why I had quit working here after nearly 3 months, it was too much. For all the work and the long hours that you work, you should in my opinion receive more than minimum wage.

Sporting Life is not a bad company, but students who are still in highschool should not consider it, especially if you are a merchandiser because merchandisers are required to stay after everybody is gone in the store.

Review for Sporting Life Retail Store

I recently had the unfortunate experience of working at Sporting Life, and I can confidently say it was one of the most disappointing job experiences I've ever had. The management at this store seems to be completely indifferent to the well-being of their employees. Instead of fostering a supportive and positive environment, the managers frequently engage in gossip about staff members, creating a toxic atmosphere that makes it difficult to feel comfortable or valued.

The level of micromanagement is astounding. Rather than empowering employees to take initiative and celebrate their achievements, the management team seems focused solely on critiquing and controlling every aspect of our work. It's demoralizing to put in hard work without ever receiving recognition or encouragement. This lack of appreciation leads to a significant drop in morale, making it hard to stay motivated.

Additionally, the staffing levels are incredibly inadequate. With unrealistic expectations to meet targets, it's clear that management does not prioritize proper staffing. This not only puts immense pressure on the existing employees but also negatively impacts customer service. Customers are often left waiting or feeling neglected, which is unacceptable for a retail environment.

Overall, I would not recommend working at Sporting Life. If you're looking for a place that values its employees, encourages teamwork, and recognizes individual contributions, look elsewhere. The toxic culture and lack of support from management make it a place I would not want to return to.

Working at Sporting Life offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience, blending the passion for sports with a thriving work environment. The company's commitment to excellence and dedication to its employees makes it an attractive choice for job seekers.

First and foremost, Sporting Life fosters a culture that revolves around sports and outdoor activities. Employees often share a genuine love for the products and the lifestyle they represent, creating a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm in the workplace. This shared passion helps build a positive and engaging atmosphere where individuals can feel motivated to excel in their roles.

Secondly, Sporting Life is committed to the growth and development of its staff. Whether through internal training programs, workshops, or mentorship opportunities, employees are supported in honing their skills and advancing their careers within the company. This commitment to professional growth enhances job satisfaction and cultivates a loyal and dedicated workforce.

Moreover, the company's reputation as a leader in the sports retail industry provides a sense of pride for its employees. Being associated with a well-established brand that upholds high standards creates a sense of accomplishment and confidence in the work being done.

Lastly, Sporting Life offers competitive compensation packages and employee benefits, ensuring that staff are well taken care of and their hard work is duly rewarded.

In conclusion, working at Sporting Life offers a unique opportunity to blend personal interests with a rewarding career, benefiting from a supportive and stimulating work environment while contributing to a brand that embodies a shared passion for sports and outdoor pursuits.

Sporting Life was an interesting company to work with. Pretty much a typical day at work as a sales associate was to reach the daily quota and give exemplary customer service. It could be fun at times, but other times it would be pretty discouraging to keep on working there. Contrary to popular belief, the more pressure there is, the funner the job gets, because you become more competitive, and you focus solely on reaching your goal, so managers and supervisors are normally not behind you watching every little move you make. The problem was having an unorganised management with too many supervisors that never agreed on one thing, nor worked as a team. This unfortunately fell on the general associates, because they take the orders from them, and it can be a bit confusing when one manager tells you to do one thing, and the other supervisor gets mad at you for doing that thing, and asks you to do the complete opposite. With them, there is no room for understanding. The benefit of this is you have an entire workforce that feels the same way, so you can share similar experiences and situations, and create a bond through this. The negative thing about this is, once they see a large group of workers complaining about management, they don't have a problem with firing 20+ people in a single week. The store itself is nice and brings a positive vibe with it, and its entertaining to simply be a part of it. In the end, you are there to work and try to be good at what you do, but it can be a bit irritating when the management you need to work with is completely disorganised.

Working at Sporting Life is like working at any other retail store. High turnover rate, management issues and minimum-wage pay for high level of work. Despite that, I learned a lot during my time here. I can say training and development is their strongest suit. There were many opportunities to learn about the product sold and how to provide the best customer service possible. Vendors would come in daily to discuss their product and give staff the knowledge on how to sell it to the customers. However, in the year I was employed here, the Incompetent management had ruined this store. The better managers left after not being compensated fairly and were replaced by individuals who did not know what they are doing and are comfortable making less. There is a lot of unfairness/inequality/favouritism with management and staff, but that comes with any job and is not exclusive to Sporting Life. The amount you are paid and the work expected of you do not align, but again, it's a retail job. This job is best as a part time job and not as a "career." If you work hard and show you have what it takes, you can advance at the store level and possibly, beyond. I met a lot of "interesting," people working here from all walks of life, ages, races, ethnicities and social status which made working here a bit more tolerable. Treating this job as just a retail job is the way to go. Don't take it too seriously; don't bend over backwards for a job that would fire you the moment they have enough documentation to do so. Don't go above and beyond. Treat it as such and your sanity will thank you. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales associate 36 salaries reported	$18.18 per hour
Department manager 20 salaries reported	$51,175 per year
Cashier 9 salaries reported	$18.10 per hour
Shipping and receiving clerk 11 salaries reported	$18.40 per hour
Service technician 8 salaries reported	$21.26 per hour

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