Customer Service Representative | Muskoka, ON | May 17, 2023
Terrible upper management coupled with rediculous union seniority rules
Having worked in retail for many years... the things the lcbo (and the union that apperently represents its workers) does is antiquated at best and criminal at worst...The way they treat their employees is absurd. And what is more absurd is that they can't seem to figure out why they have such a high turnover rate of casual(permanent part time) workers... the demands put on us are insane, with a starting wage of slightly above minimum ($17.00 ish ATM), you are expected to learn every aspect of running the store, from stocking shelves, receiving, running the tills, cleaning the store, & customer service. While you are doing all that, you are suppose to learn what wines pair with what foods, how to tell what a customers taste preferences are, how to Guage how much alcohol someone may need for an event, and the most ridiculously complicated return system(controlled substance) i have ever seen, you have to get Smart serve certified as well, and First aid trained if you are to become a shift leader... which will net you a whopping $18 a day more for taking responsibility for the store and everyone in it... oh and on top of all this, your are dealing with a controlled substance... which means if you don't I.D everyone who you think to be 25 or under, and you sell to a minor or intoxicated person (but you have to be careful not to accuse someone wronfully as it could just be from a medication or something) YOU are personally fined up to $20,000 and 2 months in jail... all for a j
ProsTastings, decent for Fixed terms (seasonal) as much less responsibility, and the Pension is nice!
ConsToo many to list...
5.0
Customer Service Representative | Oakville, ON | Feb 19, 2015
Best Retail Job Ever!
I work at one of the largest LCBO's in Ontario. Flagship stores are lucky to have what they have (1000’s of Vintage wines and collectable spirits, full kitchen for Chef’s demonstrations and a Tasting Bar holding 52 of the current vintage release wines to “try before you buy”), but every store has the basic tools you need to show management that you are willing, able and want to WORK!
I have worked for 2 different managers at my “home store”. One manager was hired "off the street" and their focus was on saving money. This was difficult as a "low on the ladder" employee; as my hours were slim to nil. I was on customer service (cash) a lot, and have no regrets or hard feelings about this. It has made me a better leader.
My second Manager has worked as a casual up to management. The focus in the store now is to get the job done no matter what the cost (ie. if we need tape, we get tape. If we need more cashiers, we call in cashiers).
This manager has been supportive in my career development. They recognise my strengths and help me overcome my weaknesses. It is thanks to this manager that I am now attending WSET classes, giving me the knowledge needed to progress into a Product Consultant position. (These are pricy classes to take and the costs will be reimbursed {if} I pass),
Yes all promotions are based off of seniority, however you need to apply no matter what your hiring date was, because like any other job application, you never know, you might be the only person applying
Prosa retail job WITHOUT the retail pressure (sell, sell, SELL!!!)
Consnot all managers run their stores the same way
2.0
Customer Service Representative | Woodbridge, ON | Jan 9, 2020
Not happy with my experience.
I applied for a position during the day in early November, but they offered little hours at the location. They counter offered with a full time night position, 40 hours per week, which was exactly what I was looking for. The manager assured me they would take me in after the term was done, at least for a few part time shifts. I took the offer, and I didn't think I would regret it, but now I do.
The first issue was I had to wait a month for my first paycheque. It was not made clear to me with my constant back and forths with the manager as to why this happened, but I was understanding and put my trust in him. I would talk with the manager, just to make sure if everything is basically good to go - and he assured me yes. Clearly, this was not honest.
The term lasted from November to New Years Day, which was not clarified in the contract. If it was, it was not stressed to us that after new years day, we would not be working at all. There was an online training that needed to be done in order to work at the store - since I was working a night shift, the manager did not mention to me that it needed to be done before my "first" shift at the store.
On New Years Day, on my last day (which I was not even aware of), the manager asked me to finish the online training. The next day, I tried logging in and was denied access. After a full week of emailing the manager, he finally emailed me back today letting me know I cannot access due to the term being finished.
This was very frustr
4.0
Customer Service Representative | London, ON | Mar 3, 2019
Straight forward work and pay
I was hired as a permanent casual Customer Service Representative. I agree with many comments that you work evenings and weekends, however that is what I anticipate in any retail environment so it is exactly as you would expect. As a casual with no other employment, you can work everyday of the week during especially busy times or you can ask for certain days off or times of day, i.e. no mornings because you volunteer/work elsewhere.
I have found the staff to be great - very friendly and willing to teach newbies. This includes the management. They have all been great.
My hours over the holidays were full time however, they have dropped down (as expected) to somewhere between 12 and 24 hours per week in Jan. to March. If I had to rely on this as my sole income, it would be hard but I do know that my rate of pay will go up with time and training. I also appreciate the union as it insures a consistent approach where the 'flavour of the month' does not get promoted at the expense of other hard working employees.
The work is straightforward - respond to customers, cash, stock, clean - and when you leave, it's done. No need to bring work home or be contacted after about things that happen in the store.
Customers are generally great! Only had one really grumpy one in over 7 months and I can't say that for any of my other jobs.
Benefits are pretty non-existent for casual but again, this is what I expected.
I think this job would be perfect for people who do not n
ProsProfessional environment, leave work at work.
ConsMostly evenings & weekends.
1.0
Customer Service Representative | Aurora, ON | Apr 4, 2019
A lot of patience & thick skin required
If you’re looking for a decent summer job, or you’re looking to make some extra cash for the holidays, this can be a good place to work...but it’s all based on seniority and there’s no guarantee of shifts, even after you move into being a casual employee.
To many people in Ontario, working at the LCBO seems like the easiest job in the world with good pay & union backing.
It really isn’t all that. If you take things said to you personally, this may not be the job for you.
If you don’t preach the Union’s message, don’t expect any assistance from them. If you don’t agree with them politically, expect the same treatment as above.
As for the retail level: While the majority of customers I have served are polite and pleasant; there have been several instances I have experienced where some customers have been unnecessarily rude; dismissive; verbally abusive; and have vocally declared that you (an employee of a Crown Corporation) are a worthless bottom feeder who has failed at everything else in life & can’t get a real job (because you refused to sell them alcohol for whatever reason [intoxicated, underage, or visibly & blatantly purchasing for someone who may be underage/been refused previously]).
Additionally, moving up in the company is incredibly difficult. You want a raise from the base rate? Sure, just work 1000 hours & you’ve got it! If you’re barely scheduled for shifts, you’ll be stuck earning the base hourly rate for a very long time. You want a job at head
ProsHourly rate slightly higher than minimum wage
ConsWorking virtually EVERY weekend, Weekend availability is Mandatory, no consistency of shifts
I worked in the Ottawa logistics facility, the management believed that fixed term employees were not entitled to Stat holiday pay, claimed that the Union made a deal so fixed terms don't get osha laws protecting them. if you ask the union if you are with them they claim that fixed terms are not apart of the union despite paying union dues they will jerk you around from person to person without properly protecting or answering fixed term employee questions.
also recently they started hiring a wave of employees and turned down a certain group of returning employees surprise surprise the employees turned down just so happen to be the employees who were awarded back pay after being ignored for 3 months about the stat holiday pay problem.
also the union made a deal that fixed terms don't get two 15 minute breaks so while every other employee is getting ready to head home and are standing at the punch clock during the last 15 minutes of the shift, your still working because they get another 15 minute break, where the union traded the fixed terms last break away for whatever benefit for themselves.
aswell every employee gets the 1$ night shift premium, EXEPT fixed term employees
so those planning to take a fixed term position in the Ottawa logistics facility beware, ask them about the last 15 minute break the others get and you don't and clarify the night shift premium.
also they force overtime, its in the fixed term contract so afternoons work until 12 am, and ba
ProsMonday to friday
Consdoes not fallow OSHA Standards
1.0
Customer Service Representative | Cobourg, ON | Sept 15, 2018
Has potential but is a highly toxic work environment
On a province-wide level, it is an okay job if you do not need a steady income and do not mind working every weekend and all holidays. However, your hours for the first few years will be vary variable (plenty in Summer and December), and you could be on EI during other times if you do not have other employment.
In regards to my experience at the larger Cobourg location, it is easily one of the worst employment experiences in my life. The store is controlled by top seniority full time workers who thrive on spite, complete individualism, preferential treatment, and bringing others down. If the Management is not actively engaging in these behaviours, they are supporting it through general incompetence, inaction, poor/no communication and granting unprecedented control to those toxic individuals. Good workers are being pushed to their limits to compensate and having to constantly fight through game playing, blatant mistreatment, cynicism, and physical harm due to repetitive strain from a lack of job rotation. While the Cobourg location is easily one of worst in terms of toxicity, it generally reflects the basic attitudes throughout the corporation (Head office is also extremely inefficient and continues with very outdated work models). Unfortunately, the Union is more of an hindrance then an aid, as several of these toxic individuals have taken that route to become store representatives. However, it is often clearly for their own protection and to allow manipulation of the syste
ProsSlightly higher pay for retail
ConsVery weak and incompetent management; Undue physical and emotional stress; Toxic senior staff
3.0
Customer Service Representative | Kingston, ON | Mar 13, 2014
Moving towards a Part-Time workforce
There is no denying that the LCBO is the best retail position out there. Wages are excellent, customer service, and product knowledge education is exceptional. However, there is a move to make it extremely difficult to acquire full time. (average in Kingston is 18 years, Toronto is 5 years). As a part time employee, you are expected to be on call all the time, as the 2 week schedule that is posted will have about 12 hours on it at best. If you are lucky enough to have benefits as a casual, you cannot opt out, however only most senior casuals will have the opportunity to qualify (annual hour requirement). Also, there is no guarantee that you will qualify for benefits next year! Be expected to never have any holidays off as a part-timer, as full timers get the options first. You will never have a Friday or saturday off again. As well, they have been cutting down the amount of staff on the floors, which means it is difficult to keep the store stocked and ready to the standard management demands. Lots and Lots and Lots of workplace injuries!!!(again mostly do to lack of staffing). Be expected to have 3 people to unload a truck of 500 cases, as well as put them into the warehouse, and separate product that needs to be on the floor in a 2 hour time frame.
Better then a lot of jobs out there, for sure, but lots of seniority issues. Expect to be standing on cash, non stop, with heavy products and difficult (drunk or underage) customers, for hours at a time with no help. I still h
ProsExcellent Pay, Customer Service Training, Customer Service Experiance
Consmany work related injuries, difficult to advance, seniority rules with an iron fist.
1.0
Customer Service Representative | Windsor, ON | Oct 7, 2019
Poor Management and poor in-house training
Received thorough training online plus a 1 day classroom session. During those sessions they teach about customer service and safety etc. In house training is another matter. In House training was very poor at best, as they "teach" you how to use a cash register because basically in the seasonal employee sessions, you are on the cash registers 90% of the time and bagging etc the rest of the time. The teaching/ training of using the cash is very poor unless you have worked cash before.Regular staff who train you forget that they struggled too when they first started. Lots to know on cash. They give you just the basics on how to use it and take off letting you sink or swim on it. If you run into problems you can call for backup, but that is embarrassing to have to call for the backup because they didn't teach you all of the things initially required to do the job properly. Part time and full time staff bolt to other jobs in the store to avoid the cash register. You will be very lucky if you get to stock shelves, as the regular employees are doing that.
You have to be prepared to work mostly nights and weekends in this job. Just the way it is when you are seasonal. Poor and miserable management as they favour the regular full/part time staff. Virtually no support from them. You are basically dispensable. The pay is just okay, just above minimum wage but that is retail. You must join their union and pay union dues, so beware of that. Not much left on your pay after union dues,
4.0
Customer Service Representative | Brampton, ON | May 10, 2016
Overall I enjoyed it
I found it very difficult to advance my career here despite being an extremely knowledgeable seasonal employee who has a strong relationship with the customers. Everyone goes insane over the pay its really only $1 more than the minimum wage which isn't bad but not all the big hype. However I assume when hired as a part-timer it will be a little higher. They make you work hard, and make sure you earn every dollar they pay you. It's a very demanding job but overall all the people are wonderful and to the contrary I loved my boss! They have a wonderful team dynamic that makes you feel safe, they are quick to support you and back you up in every situation. Sometimes company reps come in with wines, and spirits to sample along with free food or snacks which was awesome. However, other than the sampling also contrary to popular belief NO FREE ALCOHOL. I have no complaints about that but it's not a real thing. Hours are long, stores are packed especially on holidays and long weekends none of which you will ever have off for any reason at all. So all that being said if you're not willing to sacrifice all your evenings, weekends and holidays for the summer and are ready to work your butt of then this is for you. I did a summer once and definitely won't do it again but it was a wonderful growing experience. Getting part time is next to impossible, but that is the only time I would ever work there again because of increased pay and slightly more leverage to ask for a day or two off.
Prosgreat people, great management, free samples, free food
Conslong days, extremely busy, very demanding, minimal chance of advancement
Questions and answers about LCBO
What is the promotion process like at LCBO?
Asked Nov 11, 2022
Seniority
Answered May 25, 2023
Slow process
Answered May 17, 2023
How often do you get a raise at LCBO?
Asked Nov 11, 2022
Yearly if at all
Answered May 17, 2023
6 months for casual, part time and full time. Seasonal fix wage.
Answered May 6, 2023
What benefits does LCBO offer?
Asked Jun 3, 2019
You don’t get benefits unless they promote you to full time and that’s normally after being there for 5 years
Answered May 9, 2023
Part-time no benefits. most don't get full-time for a minimum of 5-10 years. benefits are given after that.
Answered May 4, 2023
How often do raises occur at LCBO?
Asked Oct 22, 2018
Every year
Answered May 25, 2023
once a year
Answered May 17, 2023
How is feedback from management delivered at LCBO?
