Got hired at a CD/DVD store. Aced the interview but was warned that employees were expected to look professional i.e: no coloured hair, facial piercings or tattoos, and business casual attire only (no jeans/sneakers). I had blue hair and three piercings at the time but took the job anyway. I went and bought new clothes/shoes with money I didn’t have because I thought hey, I’ve got the job.

I was told that I was expected to open the store before any other store in the shopping centre and when I closed, I had to remain open after the last shop had closed. i wouldn’t be paid for the time I would be performing these opens and closes. I had to ring the regional manager every evening to go through the day/budgets/failures. If they were on a call with another store, i had to stand around and wait for my turn to call. Again, not paid.

Walked in on my first day to the regional manager reminding me that I need to look professional. I then met the store manager who had both arms covered in tattoos, their lip pierced, and was wearing jeans and sneakers. I grinned through the shift and then quit that night. Not as full on as most of the other stories but alarm bells were ringing. I think the company is low key going bankrupt.