Kitchen Assistant
JW Lees
No pay info
Chester
The Breakroom Take
- Recommended by students
- Respectful managers
About JW Lees
JW Lees is a brewery and pub company. They run pubs and hotels in North West England and North Wales.
Job description from JW Lees
Kitchen Assistant Vacancy
We are looking for Kitchen Assistant to join our fabulous team.
What we offer our Kitchen Assistants:
- 30% discount on food and drink across our pubs and inns for you and friends and family
- 50% off food when on shift
- Discounted stays in our hotels and inns
- A fair share of tips
- Annual profit share, ensuring you share in the success of the company
- Wellbeing support with our Employee Assistant Programme
- Great opportunities to grow in your role and progress your career
- Access to JW BenefitHub, giving you access to a huge range of high street and online discounts
What a Kitchen Assistant does at JW Lees:
- You’ll play a main part in keeping the kitchen running efficiently and spotlessly clean during and after service
- You'll be responsible for cleaning utensils and dishes along with general kitchen duties and on occasion basic food and ingredients preparation
- Be conscious of Health & Safety in the Kitchen, working with the team to achieve and maintain 5* Scores on the doors
- Be keen to learn new skills and progress
- You’ll get the chance to shine, contribute to our success each and every day and our team will give you their full support to help you to rise to the top
About JW Lees:
Proudly family owned and nearly 200 years old, JW Lees are the original modern, traditional brewer. With 150 pubs, inns and hotels across the North West and North Wales, we are passionate about great beer, fantastic food and memorable experiences.
We put people at the heart of our business, always doing the right thing and always sticking together. Our six values are at the heart of everything we do:
Proud - Savvy - Honest - Passionate - Personal - Together
Job insights from Breakroom
Kitchen and catering assistant
Kitchen porters or kitchen assistants prepare food, make sure chefs have everything they need
What you’ll do as a kitchen and catering assistant:
- Plan meals
- Prepare and cook food
- Purchase food and look after a budget
- Be responsible for the hygiene and safety of food served
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Wearing a uniform
- Cleaning
- Anti-social hours
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What employees say
Pay
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Needs improving
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Most people aren’t paid a living wage
Do JW Lees pay a living wage?
Most people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
75% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Needs improving
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Most people are paid below market rates
Do JW Lees pay market rates?
Most people are paid less than average for their job.
How we know this
68% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Under 21s get paid less than everyone else
Do JW Lees pay the same regardless of age?
No, people under the age of 21 get paid less than those above 21.
See what JW Lees pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 21s is less than those who are over 21.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do workers at JW Lees get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
92% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do JW Lees pay sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
96% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
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Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do workers at JW Lees do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
80% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at JW Lees?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 87% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 13% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
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Some people worry about their hours
Do workers at JW Lees worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
48% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
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Most people get a choice of shifts
Do JW Lees workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
67% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for JW Lees workers to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
55% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at JW Lees?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
82% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do JW Lees managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
48% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at JW Lees?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
37% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
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People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do people work the same number they are contracted for at JW Lees?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
78% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
Good
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Most students say it’s good
Is a JW Lees job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
82% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at JW Lees feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
73% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do people at JW Lees get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
61% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at JW Lees?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
74% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at JW Lees enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
41% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at JW Lees recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
57% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at JW Lees?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
39% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at JW Lees?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 52% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think JW Lees head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
71% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how JW Lees is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
47% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What JW Lees employees say about their job
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Best thing
Staff benefits and the general manager, travel convenience and morale
Worst thing
Head chef and other specific staff members make things more difficult than needed
Kitchen porter at JW Lees, March 2025
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Best thing
Some coworkers, relationships with regular customers
Worst thing
Having to deal with some disrespectful customers (not always dealt with because it’s expected), long hours on feet
Bar staff at JW Lees, September 2024
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