swim instructor

team supervisor

customer service/sales representative

aquatics manager

marketing coordinator

Goldfish Swim School

I trained at Goldfish for being a swim instructor in the past 2 months. Everything was going very well, got all the training done. One day, just like any other, I went for my shift and every was like normal. They were retaking staff pictures, and as a trainee I got a picture taken too. My manager even asked me which level did I want to teach the most. But at the end of my shift my manager had something to talk to me about. The next thing I knew, he was 'letting me go' and even gave me a recomendation letter to make me feel better? It was awful. Especially after all the events prior... I really thought I was going to get the job. I ended up crying for like an hour, because I really like the environment there. I slept on it and decided to apply to a new swim instructors job so I have something to do this summer. Then I found out that they were still hiring instructors. I thought that it was something wrong with me, but considering that they did give me a letter of recommendation and that my manager really liked me... I have a feeling that they are just looking for people to help around and pay them less... Which would be the trainees that are so eager to get the job. 

Goldfish Swim School is a good and flexible job from an instructors perspective but as I have heard from others that management positions are not quite as flexible. The kids are friendly and you can truly bond well with your students and small classes make teaching easy and fulfilling. Taking time off from goldfish requires finding shift coverage which can be tough depending on time but management is understanding if you can't come in even if you haven't found coverage. I am resigning later this month due to school and I definitely enjoyed my time but this is definitely not the easiest job environment to be successful in and you need to be willing to improve and practice your teaching abilities in order to succeed. For anyone wondering swim instructors get 14.5 dollars per hour and it does get raised to 15 over time. Deck Supervisors get paid 17 dollars per hour and management gets even more.

Worked here for 6 months, would not recommend to anyone at any level. The staff turn over there is huge, they cannot keep lifeguards, cleaners, managers, or customers. Besides the GM they have not kept a manager longer than 6 months. Staff are overworked. Instructors are expected to work 4-5 hour blocks straight (classes back to back) with no opportunity to have a break, get out of the pool, or cool off. Managers are expected to work 50+ hours a week without overtime, 10-12 hrs a day, and they want more. Staff are fired without warning or notice.  Often customers are not happy (due to staff turnover, dirty facility, billing errors) and management does not support staff in dealing with frustrated customers.    
Very unfair amount of work expected for the compensation they are providing.

Great flexibility but once you choose your shifts you’re expected to come to them all so I recommended not taking too many and instead covering classes (there are lots of people in need of cover). Money is decent considering they don’t scam you or use abuse of power unlike other private places like the Oakville Club. Pretty chill depending on your day as long as you’re competent. I had really laid back (but hardworking) co workers and manager on my days but once covered  a shift with terrible uptight coworkers and a different manager that showed clear favouritism. 

After my "interview", which was literally 10 mins and most of that was the GM explaining what my role would be, I was told I would get ____ hours/week. Enough hours that I'd be able to quit my current job, which pays me $5/hr more. Once I got the job offer and accepted (on the terms that I'd get full time hours) management suddenly decided I'd 'maybe potentially' get 2 shifts a week. When I confronted them they literally ghosted me! Still havent heard a single word from them.. I obviously quit but don't know if they got my point cause apparently it is still mandatory for me to go to staff training!     Ya, okay! I think not!

There were clear biases with manager and other employees. No breaks, teaching for 5-6 hours non stop, would be impossible to go to the bathroom. Having to have constant energy and being told to smile, having to deal with difficult parents. Pay should be higher because you're expected to do everything. The pool was never clean and the ph wasn't constant multiple peoples skins were rashing. Getting in trouble for not being able to come to a shift because you're sick and impossible to find coverage. Always being talked down to, like you don't know what you're doing, very little respect from the staff Worked there for 6 months in 2020 and I hated every shift, would not recommend to anyone.

Goldfish was a very fun place to work as a student as most instructors were around the same age. I enjoyed the group dynamic. Lots of training for instructors so you are never unsure what to do. Always support when in the pool from other staff as there are always people around to help. It can be hard to find shift coverage in last minute situations but management is understanding when things come up and you cannot come in. I would recommend working at Goldfish, especially to high school students as it’s a great social environment and lots of events for staff to get to know each other.  

The management here is so double standard and two-faced, the dont care at all about you as an employee. They only care about reaching there goals for sign up. Zero concerns about there staff or the families that they see. Every day is a horrible experience here, you will be trained on how to do a task a certain way, then get yelled at and pretty much told that your stupid for doing it that way. There are not open to working around school scheduls or hours, only had 3 shifts a week, each was 3 hours long, its not enough hours to pay for human life

Working at Goldfish has been a great experience for me. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The recent change in management has changed the work atmosphere for the better. The managers are very approachable and supportive. Working with kids is great, instructors do not have to do lesson plans or assessments of students. Advancement opportunities are frequently available. I have greatly appreciated their flexibility with hours and taking time off.

Way too much work expected, was putting in almost 60 hours a week, and not getting a decent pay for a Management level position that I was hired for, and they still were not happy. General Manager overloads you with work and puts too many expectations on you only to turn around and ask why they are not done. Little training provided and not a friendly atmosphere as portrayed.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Swim instructor 18 salaries reported	$19.81 per hour
Team supervisor 3 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Customer service/sales representative 5 salaries reported	$19.20 per hour
Aquatics manager 3 salaries reported	$27.92 per hour
Marketing coordinator 1 salary reported	$27.50 per hour

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