Shift manager Review
at JD Wetherspoon
Degree Apprenticeship
Hospitality Management
Leatherhead
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.6/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
As a shift manager my role is to assist the pub manager to achieve cqsma, financial targets and company goals in the pub. From running shifts, training and managing staff, stock control, managing maintenance needs, recruitment, rotas and hours control, ensuring licensing objectives are met and everything else in between.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I have enjoyed the lectures. I have found it a difficult transition going from a particularly physical/practical job that ive done for many years back into education. It has been difficult to focus and relearn study skills particularly when its come to assignments. I think there could have been more support inducting onto the course in terms of these study skills, given many people on the course have been out of education for a number of years. But the course content itself os enjoyable, although it would be more so face to face.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Since starting my course a few months ago, i have learnt more about strategy and strategic goals. Although for my company these are developed at a higher level, it has taught me the importance of clarity thoughout the business in relation to these. Mainly i feel teaching is developing my leadership skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
Given that i have been on the programme for several months and have no yet recieved a course handbook, i think there is room for improvement. The 8 hour lectures have been face paced but manageable. They were however split into 2 groups of 3 and i feel there was little direction as to what students shouldve been doing in between. There is also little direction as to what should be achieved at each stage to ensure progress is on track.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I started out the course having a few difficulties being given my 20% off the job training time, which is essential. I think my pub manager is supportive, however my area manager as my personal tutor and i have little contact on a weekly basis so i havent had check ins for progres from him.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
I have recieved great support from the university disability advice centre, with weekly 1 on 1 sessions. My tutors have been supportive although it is difficult having to communicate soley by email. This has meant that some emails i have sent have taken a long time to be replied to if ever.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I am only at the very start of my degree apprebticeship so it is somewhat difficult to gauge at the moment. I think that from what ive expirienced so far it will give me a higher level understanding of how the cpmpany works. In my current role there is little involvement or understanding of what happens in the company above pub level. I think this will help me develop myself as a manager.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
At my current workplace we are extremely short staffed, this makes finding time for social activities very difficult. Nevertheless, there are oppotunities in our are to take part in company social activities such as football tournament, darts tournament, pool competition,charity quizzes. We usually organise an annual staff party but have not been able to for the last 3 years.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JD Wetherspoon to a friend?
No
Why?
Although i think the fact the company offers apprenticeship schemes is great. I think there needs to be more focus on the basic hygiene factors for staff. Since the end of the pandemic it has been a struggle for all levels of the company but i feel theres been an oversight as to what its like on the shop floor. From working countless unpaid overtime, struggling to get annual leave for real rest and massive amounts of stress whilst being given unrealistic demands and goals from above.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JD Wetherspoon?
Set and maintain clear boundaries with your time and efforts, as at the moment it feels like staff motivation and well being seems to be a lower priority.
