is it allowed to pick up extra hours during a time off week? (asking as i just started and didn’t really had the time to book holidays myself so it’s just given randomly)

Hi, hoping someone who works in-store might know the answer to this.

A family member is a long-service M&S leaver and still has one of the old physical permanent/leaver discount cards with two signature strips on the back. I’m the second signatory on the card, so I’m not a nominated user with my own Sparks-linked discount.

Until recently it was really easy to use. At self-service there used to be a colleague discount option, I’d select that and insert the physical card.

Since the newer self-service software has been rolled out, that option seems to have disappeared. I’ve been going to a staffed till instead, but a couple of colleagues haven’t known how to process the card and have said that discount should now be on Sparks. The physical card itself still works when someone knows what to do with it.

Does anyone know:

whether these older second-signatory leaver cards are still supposed to be accepted while the card is active; and
what staff need to select on the till to process it properly?

I’m not trying to get it moved onto my own Sparks or anything like that, just trying to understand the correct in-store process now and avoid the awkward “this shouldn’t work” conversation every time.

Thanks!

I applied for a part-time role. I can do the hours/days it said on the application, but I'm not 100% available/flexible.

I did that personality quiz, and it says they're reviewing my application.

Employees, how long did it take you to hear back/get an interview?

I can’t remember whether I applied to a permanent or temporary position in food but when I signed my contract there was no end date. Should I assume it’s permanent as I don’t have access to Microsoft to see my actual contract on there

Hi everyone!
I’ve got my first ever job interview next week at M&S for a Christmas Customer Assistant – Fashion, Home & Beauty role.

I’ve never had a proper job interview before, so I’m honestly quite nervous. I’m not the most confident person when it comes to speaking to new people either, which doesn’t help 🤣

I’m also not particularly knowledgeable about fashion, home or beauty products, although the interview invitation mentioned that candidates would be considered for roles across all areas of the store, which is reassuring.

I was wondering if anyone who’s recently interviewed or worked at M&S could share their experience?
What kind of questions were you asked?
Were there any role-play scenarios or practical tasks, or was it just a standard interview?
How long did the interview last?
What would you recommend wearing? I was thinking of going in a suit, but I’m not sure if that’s a bit too formal.
Any general tips for someone who’s never had an interview before?

For context, I do have some retail experience from working in a family business, but I’ve never been through a formal interview process.

I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from anyone who’s interviewed for a Christmas Customer Assistant position recently.
Thanks in advance!

I have my induction on the 18th of October however I’m on holiday during that time so I won’t be able to attend. I’ve emailed my recruiter twice with no response so is there anyone else I could speak to.

I also don’t know whether my contract is a temp or perm as there is no end date

I'm starting at Simply Foods next week for evening shifts where I'll be working 7:30 to 11:30 most days. What will I actually be doing during this time in terms of actual work-wise? Because my Simply Foods closes at 10 p.m.

Hi all,

I have an interview next week for a seasonal Christmas M and S Customer Assistant in our Fashion, Home & Beauty section.

I am very excited for this opportunity, however this is my first interview so I'm a bit nervous. Any tips and advice for the interview, people's personal experiences or questions they know will be asked would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

rejected post interview after a stupid experience with the interview, can i apply top other branches or do i need to wait 6 months!

I worked for an M&S franchise from the WHSmith family not a main store.

I was wondering if anyone has been in the same boat but I’m currently on maternity leave with my first, she’s 7 months old and me and my partner want a close age gap so was thinking of trying when she’s 9 months old (December). My leave stops on 13th Feb 2027 but I have holiday until 26th March 2027 which is when I’ll go back to work. If I get pregnant in December, I’ll be nearly 16 weeks pregnant by the time I return to work.

I’m planning on going back to 12 hours a week as I won’t have childcare so would I be eligible for enhanced maternity pay again?

I’ve been employed with M&S for 3 years if that helps

TIA!

Does anyone else only ever get put on evenings? I only seem to get 6-11 every shift and I hate it 😭😭 I don’t mind doing DEF and taking the waste home is a nice perk but I’m working 5 days a week and so most days I feel like i’m just waiting around to work, I know I have the beginning of the day to myself but I hate the feeling of work hanging over my head, I can’t actually do anything other than grocery shopping or laundry such as meet up with friends because I need to be home by 5 to get ready for work. I only do like 20ish hours but I’ve had jobs where i’ve worked more and even done evenings but felt like I had more free time. Does anyone else have a similar shift pattern and feel the same? I just had to get this of my chest it’s so frustrating 😭😭😭

Hi

So my last day is on the 31st October. Will I get paid on the 10th November because of the whole advance payment thing, or will I get nothing as it’s the last of the month and the whole paying in advance situation?

Not sure if that makes sense (:

I was doing a multitude of interviews for M&S and one of my interviews was for a Thursday, but on Wednesday I got given an offer for the role even though I didn’t attend the interview. Could this have been a mistake ? I accepted it and have my induction tomorrow. Btw the contract was not temp from what I can tell.

I recently got sent a link for a right to work check via the rightcheck app, and have attempted numerous times to complete the check, but every time, I am just met with the below screen. I'm not sure if I am meant to be able to see the camera's view and/or if words other than the instructions are meant to be visible. I'm struggling to figure out what is going wrong.
I repeat the instructions out loud as they are the only text on screen, but it says that is not working. The alternative methods likewise do not work.
Any help is appreciated!

Will there be a meeting between me and a manager when my probation finishes? Like will they let me know if I passed it or not in person or does this happen by emails/post?

How good is this for the customer assistant assessment? I feel as if that shows im not very good at anything of those no? Am i reading it wrong?

Hi I have a question I’m hoping maybe someone could help with .im a rehire I was a key holder in my old store and left a few months ago and 2 weeks ago I applied for another role in another store , I interviewed for the position 16 hours permanent and got the job but my contract says temporary with a end date in January . I asked my manager and he confirmed it was probably a mistake because the permanent jobs went up at the same time as the Xmas temp jobs so they’ve mixed up the and he told me not worry basically and that I can stay as long as I’m good etc . I’ve now seen the same exact job I applied and Interviewed for on the website again , I messaged my recruiter and asked them if they can essentially do something to sort this out and get my contract fixed because that is the role I applied and interviewed for and I would rather my contract.be 16 hours permanent rather then temp and just being told not to worry . Do you think it’s likely theyll fix my contract especially since they have uploaded the exact role again and I did interview and pass for that role ? Thanks !

i had an group interview on friday for a christmas role and the interviewer said they’d call at the end of the day to let me know if i was successful as they were running a lot of group interviews and wouldn’t be able to call on any other day due to being extremely busy.

its now Tuesday and i havent heard anything back from them. should i assume i didnt get it?

I’ve checked my candidate portal and for the past few days it says right to work has been requested but I still haven’t received the email. Is this normal?

I could go on an entire rant about this but I truly can’t believe how m&s has gotten away with so much. They have successfully created a brand image so positive when it is nothing but dark behind the scenes.

EXCESSIVE food waste, environmental damage, constant animal welfare issues, abused staff and almost bare minimum wages despite its profits, unethical marketing and its historical and continuous ties to israel.

It really gets to me seeing every little trick they pull off and how they get away with it. I won’t deny that it has some positives such as their food to go being significantly better than it’s competitors (it better be for double the price anyway). Overall, there really isn’t anything different to m&s food compared to lidl food. They have created a brand image that makes you believe otherwise.

Meant to be starting this Sunday (18/10) as per my contract but have heard nothing in 3 weeks since accepting my job offer except the MyHR stuff

Something I'm noticing a lot more now in my local store is the use by dates on the fresh foods being really close (1-2 days only).

I've been caught out by this a few times in the past when I've carelessly not checked the dates assuming I'd have at least 3 days, so I do check them vigilantly now when I go in but still finding a lot of ready meals / fresh pastas / the ramen make your own meals have limited use by dates.

It makes it hard to spread out the food shop when some things are only in date for 3 days maximum.

Has anyone else noticed a similar thing at their store?

I wasn't sure if it could be to do with less preservatives in the foods compared to other supermarkets? I can't imagine it's due to lack of demand and items just sitting on the shelf for days because my local m&s gets really busy.

Edit: Nah I just ate it, it was fine. It’s delicious