About Dr. Martens

Wellbeing is a high priority for Dr. Martens Culture Team, so they have introduced a series of lunch and learns that focus on “mindfulness”. To assist those who need a little more energy they have also launched a Couch to 5k running club, subsidised yoga and HIT training. The company also invite specialists to site to provide massage therapy to those employees who want it. They even provide a little extra motivation on a Monday with smoothies and free fruit and veg in all stores and offices. In addition, Dr. Martens have an EAP that all employees can access, which includes an online library of wellbeing knowledge and an independent telephone helpline with face-to-face counselling if required.

The CEO of Dr. Martens recently shared the brand framework to the global workforce using a Vodcast. To reinforce this message, each employee has been given a vinyl record created specifically to explain the company’s Ambition, Why They Exist, What They Believe In and Who They Are. Rather than a formal mission statement and values, Dr. Martens have this framework which defines what they stand for, how they behave and where they are going. It’s their brand, on the record.

Dr. Martens employees dedicate a large proportion of their working lives to the company, who are always delighted to celebrate and reward that loyalty. Themed service awards are given at 5-year intervals. The most popular is the “Leather” award, given as a celebration of the employee’s first year with the company. Dr. Martens offer the chance to have a one-off personalised pair of Dr. Martens shoes made especially for them. This “award-pair” is a bespoke interaction with the UK Factory Team in which the employee can create a pair of unique boots or shoes. The employee can either customise their ideal DM’s (selecting the style, leather, colour, eyelets, sole type, welt style, laces and trim) or take the Lucky Dip option, where using only “hints” they entrust the factory to make a completely exclusive pair with unusual leathers, threads and soles not on the standard menu. Companywide it is well known that this happens at the one-year anniversary and employees always count down the days to this opportunity.