New — Posted yesterday

Retail Sales Assistant

The Works
Pay Estimated pay: £8.46-12.20 per hour

Location Portsmouth, Hampshire
Contract time Part time, permanent

The Breakroom Take

5.2

Rated 5.2 out of 10, based on 317 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz

See all job reviews

  • People enjoy this job
  • Recommended by students
  • Recommended by parents
  • Respectful managers
  • Proper breaks

About The Works

The Works is a retailer. They sell books, stationery, toys, and art and craft materials.

Job description from The Works

Retail Sales Assistant

12 hour contract

Why The Works?

10th Best Big Company to Work For 2024 - 'Best Companies'

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

You sell the paint that turns someone into an artist. You provide the book that unleashes an inner author. You supply the games that help bring families together. You give someone the puzzle book that reconnects them with a late family member’s memory. You never know who someone will become. So with your passion, and our products, you will help ignite the spark within people, allowing them to unleash their creativity, find new passions, hobbies, or rekindle fond memories. The unseen possibilities are limitless, and it all starts with you.

Our Perks Are 'The Works'

  • 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
  • MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
  • Holiday – 28 days including bank holidays, or 33 days including bank holidays for Deputy and Store Managers.
  • Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
  • Wagestream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
  • Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
  • 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with Retail Trust Charity, who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
  • Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs.
  • And loads more! – Long service awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work scheme and optional charity giving.

Become a Retail Sales Assistant

As a Retail Sales Assistant at The Works, you’ll discover that this is not just a job. This is a mission to inspire people to read, learn, create and play!You’ll be the heartbeat of our retail store by greeting customers with a warm smile and helping them leave happy and excited to unlock their imaginations. Your passion and enthusiasm for our brand and products will be contagious and motivating. Our customers will want to return, time and time again for more inspiration and products that satisfy their creative needs.Some of our colleagues are even BookTok influencers or Instagram creatives, crafting their latest shorts or stories with our in-store products - That's super cool with us!

Our Culture

The Works is an awesome place to… well, work! Our atmosphere is supportive, friendly, and inclusive. A second home-from-home where you can be your best and authentic?you.Our environment is always moving and full of energy, yet we still make space to share must-watch TV recommendations, and our favourite page-turners. Because even superheroes need some downtime to fuel their imaginations!We are one team. You won’t find anyone too proud to roll up their sleeves here, with all hands-on-deck to inspire our customers and support each other.

Skills / Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

  • Genuine and authentic: Your positivity, creativity, and passion for our brand and products shine through. Talking to people is your superpower, and customers can't resist your helpful recommendations!
  • Resilient champion: You can handle the fast-paced retail environment like a boss, juggling busy days, heavy deliveries, and customers with ease. You're the ultimate multitasking hero!
  • Stock magician: You tackle the puzzle of sorting, pricing, and merchandising deliveries like a pro! Embrace the boxes; they've got nothing on you!

Keyholder Responsibilities

If you’re over *18, you’ll join as a keyholder. Our Retail Sales Assistants support our Store Management team to keep the stores running like clockwork by opening, closing, and running the store when needed, (holidays, days off, sickness etc), but don’t worry we’ll train you to do this.There are a lot of valuable skills to learn here that will benefit you in the future. You’ll also receive our additional keyholding pay enhancement when holding keys.

*Under 18?

That's cool. If you're under 18, you won't be able to complete keyholding duties just yet, but when you reach your 18th birthday, we'll get you set up for training so that you can earn the additional keyholding pay enhancement when on keyholder duties.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play - making lives more fulfilled

Our Values

We are Crafty | We are Caring | We are Can-do

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments.

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!

Job insights from Breakroom

Retail and sales assistants:

Sales assistants help customers and sell goods and services

What you’ll do as a retail and sales assistant:

  • Serve and advise customers
  • Take delivery of goods and stock
  • Arrange and display goods
  • Check for damaged or missing items
  • Handle customer payments, returns and refunds
  • Keep the store clean and tidy

Is it right for you?

This job may involve:

  • Dealing with customers
  • Standing
  • Wearing a uniform
  • Heavy lifting
  • Cleaning
  • Physical activities

Map

Portsmouth, Hampshire

A map of the rough location for this vacancy

What employees say

Pay

    Needs improving
  • Most people aren’t paid a living wage

    Do The Works pay sales assistants enough to live on?

    Most people are not paid a living wage.

    How we know this

    86% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.

    Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Most people are paid below market rates

    Do The Works pay sales assistants market rates?

    Most people are paid less than average for their job.

    How we know this

    87% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and April 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
  • Under 21s get paid less than everyone else

    Do sales assistants at The Works get paid the same regardless of age?

    No, people under the age of 21 get paid less than those above 21.

    See what The Works pays different age groups

    How we know this

    The average pay of under 21s is less than those who are over 21.

    Based on data from 83 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get paid breaks

    Do sales assistants at The Works get paid breaks?

    No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    97% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Most people don’t get sick pay

    Do The Works pay sales assistants sick pay?

    No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    97% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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.

  • Okay
  • Some people do unpaid extra work

    Do sales assistants at The Works do extra work that they don't get paid for?

    Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.

    How we know this

    44% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.

    Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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

    Okay
  • Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts

    How much notice do sales assistants get of their shift pattern at The Works?

    Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.

    How we know this

    • 41% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
    • 11% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
    • 14% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
    • 35% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.

    Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Some people worry about their hours

    Do sales assistants at The Works worry about hours?

    Some people worry about getting enough hours.

    How we know this

    55% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.

    Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get a choice of shifts

    Do sales assistants at The Works get to choose the shifts they work?

    Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.

    How we know this

    37% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Can be hard to change shifts

    How easy is it for sales assistants at The Works to change shifts?

    Some people find it hard to change shifts.

    How we know this

    39% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.

    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. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.

  • Good
  • Easy to book holiday

    How easy is it for sales assistants to book a holiday at The Works?

    Most people find it easy to book holiday.

    How we know this

    79% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.

    Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 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
  • Shifts can get changed at short notice

    Do The Works managers change sales assistants shifts at short notice?

    Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.

    How we know this

    57% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.

    Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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.

  • Good
  • Most people find it easy to take sick leave

    How easy is it for sales assistants to take sick leave at The Works?

    Most people find it easy to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    68% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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.

  • Good
  • Most students say it’s good

    Is sales assistants at The Works job good for students?

    Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.

    How we know this

    72% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.

    Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 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.

  • Good
  • Most parents say it’s good

    Is working as sales assistants at The Works good if you have caring responsibilities?

    Most parents and carers say this is a good place to work.

    How we know this

    70% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.

Workplace

    Good
  • Most people feel treated with respect

    Do sales assistants at The Works feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    69% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and April 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.

  • Good
  • Most people get proper breaks

    Do sales assistants at The Works get proper breaks?

    Most people get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    86% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 71 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.

  • Okay
  • Some people are stressed

    Is it stressful for sales assistants to work at The Works?

    Some people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    57% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Only some people enjoy their job

    Do sales assistants at The Works enjoy their jobs?

    Only some people enjoy their job.

    How we know this

    37% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.

    Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

  • Okay
  • Only some people recommend their team

    Do sales assistants at The Works recommend working with their team?

    Only some people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    58% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 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
  • Only some people get enough training

    Do sales assistants get enough training when they start at The Works?

    Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    53% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Only some people get support to progress

    Are sales assistants given support to progress at The Works?

    Only some people are given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 60% 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 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do sales assistants think The Works 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

    84% 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 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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
  • Only some people feel well informed by head office

    Do sales assistants feel well informed about how The Works is doing?

    Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.

    How we know this

    38% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 34 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 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.

Find out more about working at The Works

What The Works employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    Good discount, low hours which works good with my personal life, great customers

    Worst thing

    Managers expect too much from employees, bullying from coworkers, made to feel bad if ill/can’t come into work, unrealistic work load for time given, passive aggressive messages in work group chat, managers picking favourites, managers don’t listen.

    1.3

    Retail assistant at The Works, March 2025

  • Best thing

    Friendly staff. Quick pace. Its a job.

    Worst thing

    Used to be great but the company is making cutbacks year on year, which is obviously going to happen. Blaming wage increase for why hours are reduced when the company makes millions in profit is not a good look.

    4.6

    Sales assistant keyholder at The Works, February 2025

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    The staff discount

    Worst thing

    Being left alone on the shop floor all day whilst management stays upstairs in the office

    1.9

    Sales assistant at The Works, February 2025

  • Best thing

    Some nice colleagues, easy work, nice customers, don't get dirty/

    Worst thing

    Not many hours, one backstabbing colleague

    6.1

    Sales assistant at The Works, February 2025

  • Best thing

    Easy work, albeit tedious.
    Some managers are confident, understand what needs to be done and how to help the team work.

    Worst thing

    Some managers appear like they do not know what they are doing, unconfident, and don't always treat the staff with respect.
    Work can be slow, and managers can give worthless tasks.

    3.9

    Retail assistant at The Works, March 2024

  • Best thing

    The customers I’ve dealt with are lovely and not too much hassle. Working Sundays is better as it’s quieter and less stressful

    Worst thing

    The team constantly talk behind your back. I have had many occasions where the manager has told someone else I wasn’t pulling my weight instead of talking to me about it

    5.0

    Sales assistant at The Works, February 2023

    1. Reply from People Services Manager at The Works, July 2023

      Hey. Thanks for taking your time to provide this feedback. What you've described above is completely against our culture, so please reach out to peopleservices@theworks.co.uk to discuss your concerns in further detail. Thanks, The Works Team.

  • Best thing

    50% off Christmas bonus

    Worst thing

    After contract they pay me less for helping them so if I travel 250 miles to help open a store I get paid £1 less that I do on my contract

    4.2

    Supervisor at The Works, January 2023

    1. Reply from People Services Manager at The Works, July 2023

      Hey. Thanks for taking the time to provide your feedback and we're sorry that you're not enjoying your experience. However, overtime is paid at your normal hourly rate and we're therefore unsure what you're referring to in saying that you are paid £1 less - can you please email us with details via payrollandbenefits@theworks.co.uk so that we can look into this for you? Thanks, The Works Team.

  • Best thing

    Seems like a fun place from the outside. Great if you are a person that does a lot of arts and crafts.

    Worst thing

    1. No security
    2. Not allowed to use enough staff to cover the shifts properly for safety of staff and stock.
    3. Area manager never listened, store probably still has the same locks on even through the management have been told repeatedly.
    4. No lunch breaks because of being short staffed.
    5. No way to get rid of old stock. It sits in store until you sell it for 10p or it rots away.
    6. Head office don't listen to staff or management.
    7. Using old redundant ways of working rather than updating systems. It cheaper to stay paper based but makes an actual nightmare for staff to get through the day.

    3.7

    Store manager at The Works, December 2022

    1. Reply from People Services Manager at The Works, July 2023

      Hey. Thanks for taking the time to leave your review and we're sorry that you didn't enjoy working with us. To deal with some of your specific points in turn: 1. We have introduced personal safety alarms into all stores and we're currently undertaking a proof of concept trial for body worn video camera's. 2. We believe that the hours provided to stores are sufficient, but it's difficult to respond fully based on the limited information available. 3. We're unable to respond fully due to the limited information, so please contact us via peopleservices@theworks.co.uk to provide further information. 4. As per 3. 5. We've been investing in our Buying and Merchandising teams and changing the way they work together, as well introducing a new stock system to improve insight and help us improve what stock is delivered to each store and when, which we believe will resolve this problem. 6. Please provide further feedback on this to peopleservices@theworks.co.uk so that we can look into it for you and provide you with a response. 7. We're investing in our systems - we recognise that there is work to do. We're in the process of rolling out new EPOS software, we've recently introduced a new stock system as mentioned above and we're also aiming to introduce a new Time & Attendance system in 2024. Thanks, The Works Team.

  • Best thing

    Seeing regular customers, we are all one big family, great support system.

    Worst thing

    Rotas can change last minute, manager is a little anxious which makes us all feel anxious.

    3.9

    Supervisor at The Works, September 2022

    1. Reply from People Services Manager at The Works, July 2023

      Hey. Thanks for taking the time to provide your feedback and we're sorry that you don't seem to be enjoying your experience with us as much as we would like. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances can result in last minute rota changes from time to time. If you feel this is happening to frequently, please discuss your concerns with your Store Manager or Area Manager. Thanks, The Works Team

  • Best thing

    25% staff discount, at certain times throught the year, we get 50% staff discount, if you have to cover another store you get paid for the travel and parking expenses.

    Worst thing

    Certain things I want from the store are excluded from the 50% staff discount event

    6.1

    Supervisor at The Works, August 2022

    1. Reply from People Services Manager at The Works, July 2023

      Hey. Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback. Unfortunately, for differing reasons, we're not able to include all products in the double discount events or for the general 25% discount, but we think you'll agree that the vast majority of products are included. Thanks, The Works Team.

  • More reviews from The Works employees

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