EVERYTHING'S COMING UP roses for staff at the Perfume Shop, who say they have fun with their colleagues (85% positive) and love working for the organisation (78%). There are nearly 2,000 employees at this retail chain, most of them young women working part-time. The company estimates that 5% of staff are on maternity leave at any time, so it aims to make the transition back to work trouble-free, and offers flexible hours as well as keep-in-touch days. Last year, 70% of new mothers returned. “Our family-oriented culture made it easy for me to have a work-life balance and feel supported as a mother,” said one employee based at company headquarters in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Staff, who are spread across 269 branches in the UK and Ireland, agree that all are treated fairly (68%). It was all change at the firm last year as managing director Jo Walker stepped down after 22 years, passing the mantle to Gill Smith. But staff feel that their jobs are secure (75%) and have confidence in the leadership skills of their senior managers (76%). A health and wellness programme, staff discounts, bonuses and incentives including designer bags and trips overseas help to inspire and excite. A mystery-shopper scheme is also in operation and every employee scoring 100% wins £100. Staff say they feel motivated to give their best every day (71%). The company likes its workforce to be experts in fragrance. Everyone attends “perfume school”, which starts with a box full of samples and teaching materials. Participants fill in work books over 12 weeks, learning about the products as they go. A second level gives them a diploma, and after a year they can gain an external qualification, becoming a certified fragrance sales specialist; graduates are known as “ambassadors”. People agree that the experience gained is valuable for the future (76%) and say that their bosses ensure they have the resources they need (78%). Staff at The Perfume Shop feel refreshed, not drained by their teams (73%) and no one is under too much pressure to perform (67%).People care for each other (79%) and are invested in the firm's success (87%). www.theperfumeshop.com
