Not what I expected.
Pros
- Good brand to have on your CV, but doesn’t live up to expectations - Summer Fridays - Decent employee discount - Some colleagues were lovely and worked very hard
Cons
- HR is not receptive to constructive feedback, instead of addressing concerns, they often attempt to manage employees out. - Poor work-life balance, with some employees regularly working until 11 PM or later. - High turnover of talented individuals—I’ve seen many great people leave. - Lack of appreciation from management, even for those who go above and beyond. - Lacks diversity - A culture of cliques across departments, which can create a divisive work environment. - A lack of innovation—the company struggles to evolve and keep up with modern trends. While Burberry is known for its creativity and heritage, the experience for EAs and PAs within the company is far from inspiring. The admin team is undervalued, with little to no career progression opportunities. Rather than being seen as strategic partners, assistants are expected to function in a purely administrative capacity, with limited engagement or recognition for their contributions. With the removal of the Director of Administration role, there is no real advocacy for passionate EAs/PAs, leaving the team without leadership or a clear path for growth. Many assistants have been with the company for years, becoming comfortable and unresponsive, which can make it difficult for those who want to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the role. There is also a significant discrepancy in workload and responsibilities across the team, some assistants manage multiple senior leaders with overwhelming demands, while others have a much lighter workload and a far more comfortable arrangement. The lack of consistency in expectations can be frustrating and demotivating. Additionally, certain behaviours towards certain members admin team have been deeply concerning, with some assistants experiencing unacceptable treatment that has gone unaddressed. It’s disappointing that in a company that prides itself on innovation and excellence, the administrative function feels so overlooked and stagnant. Until there is a real investment in the development and fair treatment of the EA/PA team, it’s difficult to see a fulfilling future in this role at Burberry. Get in and get out!
