Whole Foods Employee Reviews for Associate Team Leader

"I have worked for Whole Foods on and off since 2010. I find the company to be ever evolving since Amazon has taken the lead. It has a great atmosphere and would be an ideal company for people looking to learn more about food and our food system in the U.S."

"Good company to work for, you can move up if you are willing to work hard!"

What do you like about working at Whole Foods?

"Whole Foods Market has a very strong team-focused approach to business. One Store-One Team is very evident here, and each team is run almost like its own little business. Each team member is given ample opportunity for advancement, training, and empowerment. Team members are strongly encouraged to keep abreast of the sales, comps, and merchandising standards, and how they can work together to make the impact each department needs. The strong customer service commitment ensures that customers are satisfied and delighted with every visit. It is a wonderful company for those who enjoy a culture of empowerment and satisfaction."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"If you really want it, GO FOR IT. Ask for the training, put the effort in. Whole Foods Market has a strong culture for growth, and if you embrace it, the sky is the limit."

What don't you like about working at Whole Foods?

"I dislike the schedules. Leadership is required to work every weekend, and may not take off two days in a row that include Friday & Saturday, Saturday & Sunday, or Sunday & Monday. Vacations need to be planned around inventory, which is every four weeks for me. No requests off will be granted two weeks before a holiday, which is understandable, but makes it impossible for anyone who has out of town family to be included in holiday plans. I work all the big holidays... every Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter, and 4th of July, but I also work every smaller holiday... Valentines Day, St. Patty's Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Halloween, etc. If it's a big shopping time (this even includes nice weather, and sports games), I am there. There is no REGULAR scheduling here. I don't work the same week two weeks in a row... ever. Last week I worked Monday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., came in Tuesday for an all store meeting (which are mandatory, every four weeks) from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., then CAME BACK for a closing shift from 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., had off Wednesday, worked 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, had off Friday, then worked 4 a.m. to 12 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. I close tonight, 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday is inventory, so I'm there 3 p.m. to 11 (that's an early shift for inventory, usually it's 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.) and then I am back at 9 a.m. on Friday. I have off Saturday and Sunday, and ONLY because I requested it WEEKS ago, and it's still a modified request off because I had to make concessions. Originally I had requested Friday, Saturday and Sunday off because we are going out of town, but was told that unless I worked Friday, my request off would be denied. On top of this, I put in a request for a vacation in August back at the end of FEBRUARY, and it was denied because another 40-hour team member had requested off as well. I had to borrow another team member from another department to agree to work in my place for five out of the ten days I requested so that it could be approved. I cannot sleep on a regular schedule, I do not eat on a regular schedule, and with a family (9-year-old son and hubby), I am never able to make plans for social engagements unless I look at my schedule first, make sure it's not during inventory, or a blackout period... I feel like I am running my life according to what my job dictates."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"I would allow for more flexibility with leadership schedules. The requirement that leadership (and most team members) work every single weekend (yes, it is written into my job description), as well as continually changing hours every week (no two days in a row are the same hours), is almost unbearable and requires a certain dedication of your life to your job, rather than your personal self and family."

What do you like about working at Whole Foods?

"I like the true customer service."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"First impressions said it all."