Marshalls

My problem is regarding my daughter and employment practices for minors. She is 17 and has worked for the past 2 years as a PT care giver for a special needs child. She is now eligible for some retail positions in this state as a minor. Wanting to gain more skills and learn things, and explore her talents she set off to apply to many different places here in Bellingham where we live. She was employed by Marshall’s here in Bellingham. We signed all the documents, she was hired on as a temporary employee under what they continually referred to as «the 90 day season’. When she was hired they (Marshall’s) knew she was going to leave other reliable employment to work for them. She was excited every day to go to work! It was a challenge but she loved it! She felt like she was finally in the world and making a difference doing her part. Even though it was not permanent work she was in for „90 day season“! With high hopes of the possibility of being retained or at the very minimum to have gained retail skills to put on her resume.
On her 32^nd day of Employment with Marshall’s she was told that this was her last shift. She could stay until the end of it or leave now if she choose to. A grand total of 77 hours. She was devastated.
I don’t understand this type of employment practice. I mean at 17 years old she is just trying to get her foot in the door. I can understand temporary, but at only 77 hours how can anyone be expected to be trained in full? I feel awful for her first experience being so ridiculous. Why hire a 17yr in the first place if you are only going to let them go the first month? Well knowing that she left a permanent job of 2yrs… why hire her in the first place? She had no write ups or documented bad behavior or any discrepancies for the rules of Marshall’s store. She was simply let go as „the 90 day season“ was over. What? I am unclear as to when this „season“ started and I suppose that would make a big difference in how her time there was calculated. Her first day of orientation was July 12, she was let go August 12.
I went to the store the same evening that she was let go to discuss what had happened with her Manager, Daniel. He replied to me over and over that it was the end of „the 90 day season“ and they only kept the people that they felt fit best with Marshall’s. I stated that I was not happy with how they run their business. I feel that this is no way to treat young people that are wanting to have gainful employment. He could not put in writing why my daughter was let go. And the only reason for her being let go was the end of ‘the 90 day season.» Which in my math was only 32 days. I didn’t get it and still don’t.
I called the District Mgr in Auburn WA. The number I was given only rang and rang every time I called with no one picking up or no voice mail to leave a message. So I called back to Marshall’s in Bellingham to see if there was a better number. I spoke to another store manager named Terrance. He gave me the same «90 day season» story. When I asked for his understanding of the bad retail experience that my daughter had his response was «that is not my concern.» THIS is my problem, it should be his concern. These kids are minors that being treated poorly. This would not be an acceptable hiring practice of an adult for a temporary position. Where is the contract of employment that protects the minors from being hired and fired that same day with no regard to them as a person?
My daughter will move on as we all do. I am just floored that is this an on going business practice, that there is no human aspect from the employer to the minor employee. There not once was a thank you for your work with Marshall’s, however we are no longer needing your services. There was no I’m sorry Mrs. James that your daughter had a bad experience, we did not intend to mislead her. Our «90 day season started back in June.» (I am guessing that is the timeline???) No apologies or understanding was related to either one of us. What kind of thoughtless employers are we sending our kids out to work for. We are human!!! We deserve to be treated with respect and in turn treat our employers with respect.
Thank you for reading my rant. I don’t know if this is a ‘real’ concern for the rest of WA, but it was our experience. My hope is to not have other kids be treated so thoughtlessly by the ‘BIG” employer an exploiting the work experience of minors. Bad business.

Amazing store, amazing people, amazing selection.
Employees put up with a lot there, from the rude customer to the entitled brat trying to get everything the closest to being free. But they are excellent at customer service, even for the smallest things. Kohl’s motto is «where you can expect great things» and they always say how much you saved by shopping there. When in reality, their prices are jacked up triple the cost of the prices Marshalls has. For example, a four pack of dishclothes are $ 16 at Kohls but $ 4.99 at Marshalls. You can never go wrong with their prices.
I strongly encourage also people who love this store to do their surveys, because it really helps out the employees when they get «highly satisfied» scores.
Some of the notable associates I should point out are (certainly not them all):
–Ryan (once saw him take money out of his own wallet to help a customer that was short on change. Way to pay it forward, especially off of a low retail salary!)
–Marice (one of the supervisors, very sweet and the resident fashionista in the store!)
–Juliana (one of the sweetest women I have ever met, nestled in the fitting rooms, so kind and helpful)
–Dane (very diligent worker who is always willing to help you out when needed)
–Sabrina (so sweet and I once saw her help a hopeless guy shop the entire store for his girlfriend’s Christmas present, never once leaving his side!)
–Michelle (this bubbly gal is so kind, helpful, and the absolute best at customer service!)
–Oriana (so sweet, kind, helpful, and always willing to lend a hand)
–Bronwyn (helpful, sweet, and so organized! She helps turn the always-​ruined-​by-​other-​people mens and toys departments into organized features that are oh so appealing to the eye!)
–Julie (so kind, helpful, and the other resident fashionista! So easy to converse with and she gives amazing customer service!
–April (awesome at customer service, super helpful and so sweet!)
And a quick shout-​out to the managers… they really know how to give customer service…
–Terrance
–Daniel
–Christina
–Kayla
Everyone who has ever worked in retail/​customer service knows it isn’t fun nor does it feel very rewarding. But as a top seller in my corporate job I can guarantee every reader and every shopper that the Marshalls located in Bellingham, WA houses some of the greatest workers I’ve ever met that are really committed to you and providing you with excellent service.
Prices are great too (just bought 5 dresses at $ 1 each for their clearance sale!) and selection is high-​end. I often hear customers asking if the items are knock-​offs because they’re so bewildered at the price, compared to Macy’s, Kohls and Target as well as other stores. I know for a fact everything is legitimate and it is so wonderful to know there’s such a great store in Bellingham with this selection. (I’ve bought Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Bvlgari, Romeo & Juliet Couture, GUESS, Jessica Simpson… every individual item of those designers under $ 100, all compared at above $ 250.)
Amazing store, amazing people, amazing selection… amazing customer service.

As usual, always good service and clean washrooms, in the back on the left corner ;)
Good selection of electronic toys and gadgets, though not as much for men’s wallets, nor quality names either… not even Kenneth Cole.

My favorite chain! Love shopping here, and this store has great, smaller furniture at super prices. I don’t expect any sales associates on the floor because they have such bargains and have to save somewhere, but their check out clerks are super nice and friendly.
The store is clean and well-​laid out. I wish it were a bigger store with more merchandise since it’s also frequented by many Canadian shoppers (go Canada!). I have never left empty handed, even though I did not find the exact thing I was looking for (such temptation!). Hint: Please enlarge your lingerie area — it needs to have a bigger selection.
All in all, the best place for apparel and home goods. (When will we have a Home Goods store up in the Bellingham area?)

OMG! I heart Marshalls. Serioiusly, my favorite store in Fremont, CA.
So I was super excited to find out they were opening one up in Bellingham. It’s huge! So I was expecting it to be filled with a ton of things I would walk out with.
This store fell short of expectations. It was big, but it didn’t seem to be filled with too much.
And I didn’t walk out with a ton of things…
So sad.