What is it like working at Aldi?

Spendless

I have no experience of Aldi to work for, but can give you a generalisation of retail work , from either my own experiences or what others have told me. I have no idea if this is just local to myself or what you'll find nationwide.

Full-time hours are rare for the shop floor staff. It tends to be only management who have full-time contracts. I once went for an interview where I was told that no-one except the manager/assistant manager had full time contracts. You have a contract of x amount of hours but you'll be asked and expected to work hours above this. I've found this to be the case, the huge majority of the time with the odd exception of very quiet periods such as the first couple of weeks in January when you might be scaled back to your contracted hours. When it comes to holiday pay you'll be paid at your contracted hours.

You may have to work most weekends. I know people who have to work Saturday or Sunday every week (unless they've booked AL). Not everywhere does set hours, set days, some do but others you will be on a rota that comes out every so often for x amount of weeks ahead.

I shop in Aldi and remember the days 10 years or so ago, when you could be the only person shopping in there, same for Lidl. They are likely to have more staff now as they are busier. I've never seen a security guard in my branch either.

DCFC79

With other supermarkets whop have contract cleaners or staff who are employed as cleaners Aldi don't have cleaners so any spillages, breakages you have to do yourself. when the store closes we had to clean the floor using 1 of them machines, use a mop to remove any marks etc.

The stores I worked in which in total I think were 5 they all employed a security guard although I've been to a local Aldi alot but not seen a security guard . They do expect more from you than the other supermarkets but they pay more so goes hand in hand.

I don't recall being given full time hours, it was a case of asking if you wanted extra hours, its been over 10 years since I've been there so could have changed, they look busier now than when I was there so maybe they offer full time hours.

1 tip for you, when you do a return make sure you put said item in a secure place or ask other staff where to put returned items, if it goes missing you might be liable for it.

Its all dependant on the store manager there, you might find he is a really nice person to the staff.

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone.

Hmmm, the lack of contracted hours would be a deal breaker for me I'm afraid. I need a FT hour contract.

And i would definitely prefer not to work every weekend, as i would never get to see my children.

Still going to the interview and see what happens. I'll ask them about the hours situation and see what contracted hours i am offered (if i get the job).

DCFC79

Yes good move, it's all dependant on how many staff they have pretty much every weekend is covered and they want just 1 day of the weekend covered.

If they don't offer a full time contract mention you would need full time hours or ask if extra shifts on offer all the time.

Spendless

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks everyone.

Hmmm, the lack of contracted hours would be a deal breaker for me I'm afraid. I need a FT hour contract.

And i would definitely prefer not to work every weekend, as i would never get to see my children.

Still going to the interview and see what happens. I'll ask them about the hours situation and see what contracted hours i am offered (if i get the job).

Have you considered admin work instead? Frequently full time hours at set times Monday-Friday.

mxavier11

Hi, I worked for Aldi for almost 8 years, starting contracted hours would only be 16 or 25 hours, that's doesn't mean you would only do them, there will be scope for more but it's not guaranteed, also with weekends, I'm sure it's pretty much store specific how they rota their weekends but you shouldn't be expected to work Saturday and Sunday every week.
Aldi is probably the best company to work your way up as long as you show you're able, as people have already said its non stop 'action' but really rewarding.

WantToBeSE

Spendless wrote: »

Have you considered admin work instead? Frequently full time hours at set times Monday-Friday.

Yes i had thought of that, but i HATE sitting down and being on the computer or doing paper work all day. Did it for many years and it's not me.
Good thinking though.

mxavier11 wrote: »

Hi, I worked for Aldi for almost 8 years, starting contracted hours would only be 16 or 25 hours, that's doesn't mean you would only do them, there will be scope for more but it's not guaranteed, also with weekends, I'm sure it's pretty much store specific how they rota their weekends but you shouldn't be expected to work Saturday and Sunday every week.
Aldi is probably the best company to work your way up as long as you show you're able, as people have already said its non stop 'action' but really rewarding.

Thanks Mxavier It all sounds as i expected.
I really do need the FT hours contracted though, so not sure.