The Body Shop introduces open hiring strategy
The Body Shop UK is to launch open hiring as part of plans to help people who may have previously been excluded from work.
Starting with seasonal in-store roles for Christmas, the health and beauty retailer will be working in partnership with Movement To Work on the programme, which will target people who have been homelessness, as well as single parents, young carers and the racially minoritised.
It will aim to remove barriers through the elimination of background checks, screening and education requirements. Instead, applicants will be asked to answer three questions which will include:
- Are you legally authorised to work in the UK?
- Can you lift up to 11kgs?
- Can you work for up to eight hours in one shift?
In addition, candidates will be offered jobs in order of application.
Movement To Work partners with charities such as Barnardo’s, Carers Trust and Catch 22 to encourage people who have traditionally faced barriers to employment to apply.
Following the Christmas roles, The Body Shop plans to roll out open hiring in 2022 across some roles in retail, its distribution centres and head office operational roles.
Antonia Tony-Fadipe, inclusive hiring lead at The Body Shop UK & global functions, said: “One of The Body Shop’s key principles is to be a business that’s a force for good and we’re proud to be removing employment barriers for those who may have been excluded from work.
“Open Hiring focuses on a person’s potential rather than their history, and we’ve seen it can be a powerful way to find talented and loyal employees. A programme like this gives people equal opportunity in a real way.”
The move follows a successful trial of the programme in The Body Shop’s US stores and distribution centres. The programme resulted in 733 seasonal employees being hired and led to an improvement in overall retention, number of units per hour produced and an ability to fill all available positions.
