sales associate

shift leader

seasonal associate

store manager

material handler

Northern Reflections

I loved working here,the staff was always happy and friendly, the customers always fun to talk to, new challenges arised daily that made this an interesting job however recently the company hired a new store manager and her treatment of the staff was very abusive/harrassement. The entire staff ended up quiting within two weeks of the new manager arrival. Some of the staff had been there for 17 years and some like me was there +7 years. I was really woking towards moving forward and taking the inititive to learn new policy and store operations because I wanted to move forward and make my part time job a great career with northern. However after being mistreated I left and through conversations with the company I was told that there would be no apology for the abuse/harrassment (which suggest that they do not care about their staff) and it seem like they were thankful that the staff that had build the great rapport with the customers were all gone. The company did not listen to the staff when they mention what was happening to the staff and let it continue till everyone was gone.  Being out in the comunity I have run into some of the great ladies that always came itno the store for shopping and sometimes just to chat and see what is coming in the furture with the clothes, have said that since the staff left they are no longer shopping in sarnia and if they really want something from northern they go to chatham or london ( they said at least there they get service that the like and not pounce on once they walk through the door). It is my belief that this store will not be turning around a profit because the company wants you to treat simple fram folk or small city living the same as you would treat customers in Toronto which is not the case as the customers in sarnia take offence to this treatment and leave without ever purchasing anything and they do not come back. Just be prepared for being micro managed becasue they do not want you to do anything without their approved and make sure you can lie and be dishonest just to make a buck. 

A typical day at work would include prepping the store for the newest fashion stock, really getting to understand what the customers like and their preferred dress, and lots and lots of teamwork! Working at Northern Reflections, I have learnt a lot about productivity, organization and balancing multiple tasks in a very fast paced environment. We try our best to service our customers above and beyond most stores all the while keeping the store in top condition and working a cash register and multiple fitting rooms.

My co-workers are wonderful. Everyone gets along and we keep one another on track with our duties, stopping to aid another when needed. We give credit where credit is due when it comes to ringing up a customer despite being paid by the hour, not paid by commission and we've never encountered a problem in the store with one another- we're all relatively flexible when deciding things/tasks.

I believe the most difficult part of my job personally is making sure everything is 100% organized. I get really into the customers, the register and the fitting rooms that it's sometimes difficult to step away and get things like folding up a table to store standards done quickly. Fourtunately, having worked there for quite a few months I've become much better than I used to at keeping things looking in good condition and it's really helped my organization in the long run, extending to home, hobby and social activities.

The most enjoyable part of the job would be dealing with the customers. We get a wide range of people in our store, a variety of personalities to interact with and it always keeps us on our toes. When we scan their store card, we get to learn each customers name and can work with them on a more personal level then most stores, since we are going by first name basis most times. We keep it light and enjoyable and it's always a great experience!

A typical day at work for working at Northern Reflections would be you walk in. Find out what the promotions are, sign the coach (where your numbers are for how much you have to sell during that shift) then start working, whether its folding, dusting, paperwork. If a customer comes in then its STOP & GO. You walk up to the customer ask them " how are they doing?" Let them know the promotion then ask "if they are looking for anything in particular." If they are then I would help them find what they are looking for if not and they say that they are just looking then I will say " okay just let me know if you have any questions." I would then just carry on with what I was doing. 

I have learned so much with working at any of my retail jobs. I have learned how to interact with many different age groups and nationalities. I have also learned the POS (Cash register) and how to fix a problem if there is one. 

The management at Northern Reflections is good. They have their bumps once in awhile but everyone does. When management asks me to do something then I will do it without complaining. My manager have asked me to do refund call backs once and because everyone else is busy with doing other things they are not getting done so I decided that I would take on that responsibility and do it.  

My Co- Workers can be fun to work with a lot of the time when they are in good moods. I can get tasks working with them or independently. We all get along when they do their job so then when the next person comes in then we just have to worry about what we have to do and not have to worry about running around and do their stuff, my stuff and also help customers. 

The hardest part of the job would be trying to make the days budget when the stores are closing at the mall and the customers are going to larger malls to do their shopping. 

The most enjoyable part of working at Northern Reflections would be meeting new people. I love to help people try to make their eyes pop!

Honestly I loved my job. I would not have quit but circumstances made it so I could not stay. I loved the people I worked with, and even tho I made 10.25 as management barely making my bills. I still wouldnt have traded it for anything.I learned something new each day, even tho we were worked thin. I disliked how I couldnt get to the doctors because we were short staffed. When I went home I was steps away from having namonia. I am a person that will stick with a job even if its the worst job in the world. I dont quit, I just work harder.

I quit because when I was hired I made it clear that I would be going home each year for christmas, only taking a week. I have not one friend or family our here. I find out in a very rude way that there is a black out period this year that I wasnt informed about about. I asked our DSM for just a week to go home. I did comtemplate not going until later in january, but then was informed my autistic cousin has serious medical issues and that christmas was the only time he was allowed out before cancer treatements. Its sad that a company would rather lose good employees then let one accomedation for one employee to go home for a week. Then once I gave my two weeks I was completely ignored, nothing explained to me, I have no idea about where any of my vacation money and stat holiday money they collected from me when to. I was lucky to have all the proper documents on me on my last day, and other employes were allowed to harrass me saying "I should feel guilty" ect. Even tho I loved my job I would NOT go back to that company.

In my experience Northern Reflections is a great place to work. The most important task is providing excellent customer service in order to sell merchandise. You must keep the store clean and organized, by properly stocking, folding and hanging merchandise. You navigate a point of sale system to process sales, refunds, exchanges, credits, gift cards, place orders etc. You must also regularly check the store email and the internet store home page for outstanding tasks, such as transfer orders through purolator, promotional changes, product consolidations and markdowns, etc. Two days of the week you receive stock shipments. At least once a week you prepare and take deposits to the bank. You often work alone and are responsible for completing all store tasks and functions independently. In a typical day you work with only one other person. Your shifts overlap for a 4-5 hours and you cover each others breaks. Working here has shaped me into a very responsible employee with strong ability to self regulate and effectively manage my time.

What is the best part of working at the company?
originally when I started working at northern 13 years ago,  I was in amazement at how well the associates were treated. very customer service oriented, great incentives for staff. The last two years there was a notable change when a new company took over financing. All incentives and that feel good atmosphere were gone. The brand began to go towards a  younger consumer seemingly forgetting about the customer who made northern what it was, the go to for all your clothing needs. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I did not find it very stressful  at all. I loved my time at Northern and was very disheartened when my location closed its doors.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The northern environment was amazing. For the  most part you were treated you  with respect and kindness. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I was a store manager so my day was mostly spent on the sales floor.  Most other duties were performed during non peak times

No patience with the MULTIPLE procedures that were NOT clearly trained with support.
Too many details and responsibilities compiled in front of customers while being rushed and embarrassed by both the Manager and assistant Manager at the Windsor Branch-both of these ladies were from Chatham, ON

Paying minimum wage for an Assistant Manager Position who is responsible for various data processes that are NOT even clear in the manual where upper management expected me/us to remember the procedures when they were not common transactions. Specials/flyers, climbing ladders, adjusting merchandise twice a week on average, opening/closing of store, deposits and mainly the coldness of these 2 ladies was unacceptable for anyone.

Note: Customers warmed up to me initially and remained wonderful in assisting.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The customers, and getting to know them  was the best part, and helping them find that great outfit  that they could reach for time and time again. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The clothes are very attractive and are in a higher price bracket than main stream items, often too high for customers. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It has a dedicated clientele,  and is fast paced, with changes in visual presentation in the store that responds to seasonal offerings. This entices the customers and engages staff with many reward initiatives as well. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Opening the store, inviting customers in, chatting with regular clientele,  encouraging new clientele and selling a very popular line of clothing. Signing up customers for Northern Friends Reward cards, and discussing their likes and dislikes.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I like my coworkers, it gets me out of the house.    The company itself is cheap. Gave us $25 gift card from Tim Hortons, to thank us  for all our work we did this year.  This is not $25 each, this is $25 for all the staff to share.  Also, the increases we received for our years of service, has been clawed back by .50 when the minimum wage went up .50.  Don't know if this is legal. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Can't plan for anything.  Schedules are only available the end of the week for the next week starting Sunday. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Work is as usual when working retail. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Some slow days, some very busy.   Busy days you may have to work extra 10 - 30 minutes over scheduled hours when closing.  Most times you don' t get paid for this extra time.

I work at Northern Reflections part time.
I have worked in retail for over 20 years and this has been my favorite place.
The staff has been the same since I started 5 years ago, we have grown close, like a family.
The customers are the same, so you get to know them.
The clothes are very well made, and rarely do we get complaints , which makes selling them easy.
The store gives you a change to earn"dollars" which you can use as cash toward the product.
Working there gives you a 50% staff discount, this along with diva dollars means you can get  news clothes for free.
The music is upbeat, the tills are easy to use. Management will listen to concerns.
The only issues I have had have all been Covid related, but this seems to done now..
The pay is minimum wage, which is common, there are not enough hours, so perfect for someone retired or a student, but if you need to live off your work, will need a second job.
I honestly do plan to stay for many many years.


Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales associate 20 salaries reported	$16.95 per hour
Shift leader 8 salaries reported	$17.22 per hour
Seasonal associate 5 salaries reported	$17.20 per hour
Store manager 1 salary reported	$45,000 per year
Material handler 3 salaries reported	$18.00 per hour

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