Open hiring
What is open hiring?
Open Hiring means that the first candidate to apply gets the next available opportunity across entry-level positions, at our stores and distribution centre. When a hiring manager is recruiting, they select the first candidate on the list (in order of application date) for an in-person chat. During the chat, candidates are informed of open positions, company history, and roles and responsibilities.
From there, interested candidates are asked three simple questions to confirm they are eligible and physically able to fulfil the requirements of the role. Starting in 2021, The Body Shop has taken purposeful action to attract and accommodate candidates that may face barriers to employment.
The Body Shop uses a hiring practice that’s fair and inclusive to all candidates, regardless of their membership in a class protected by law.
“It was a really great feeling to not feel like I was going to be surveyed or screened in detail because that can feel intimidating. Sometimes anxiety gets the best of me and I trip over words, but this method of hiring was not as intimidating and made me feel more confident.”
Retail employee, The Body Shop
How Open Hiring Works
The first candidate to apply is the first candidate to get the opportunity.
When recruiting, hiring managers will select the first candidate on the list (in order of application date) for an in-person chat. During the chat, the candidates are informed of open positions, company history, and roles and responsibilities. From there, interested candidates will be asked three simple questions to confirm they’re eligible and physically able to fulfil the role:
- Are you legally authorised to work in the UK?
- Can you lift up to 11kg (20kg for Distribution centre applicants)?
- Can you work for up to 8 hours a shift?
Our mission is to replace scrutiny with trust, focusing on a person’s potential rather than their history. We have partnered with charities that support people with barriers to employment, to ensure they are aware of our opportunities, making it more accessible to them.
“Very few places are willing to hire someone who is fat, trans and disabled. The Body Shop saw my potential and allowed me to flourish.”
Retail employee, The Body Shop
Who does The Body Shop partner with to support open hiring?
We work with regional community partners to support over 200 locations in addition to our distribution centre, and these partners help provide wrap-around support to potential candidates. Services may include job readiness classes, transport assistance, one-on-one counselling, food access and shelter, legal support and financial wellbeing education, and wardrobe and hygiene products.
“The Body Shop looks at people for who they are and not what they’ve done. To get a second chance gives you a reason to come to work.“
Distribution center employee, The Body Shop
Get to know the program
- Open hired 1,400+ Customer Consultants in 2021 (in UK, AUS & NA) and converted 30% from temp to perm!
- 89% of Store Managers would rehire their Open Hired CCs
- 87% of Open Hires recommended TBS as a great place to work
- Partnering with 20+ charities across our UK, AUS and NA markets to ensure people with barriers to employment can access our Open Hire vacancies
How do I apply to work with The Body Shop?
Apply to work with us in our distribution center or to apply to work with us in one of our stores head to our careers website.
Nykeba King
"The main thing I’d like people to takeaway is that previous experience, background checks and drug tests are not necessary to find good, hard-working employees. When you give people access to something that they have been struggling to find, like employment, they will work hard to keep it. Many of our employees have said that just getting a second chance has given them a reason to be excited to go to work."
Antonia Tony-Fadipe
"Open Hiring is our way of changing lives through employment, the model is based on trust and potential. It allows entry level jobs to go back to being entry level jobs. Working with charities and organisations supporting marginalised groups, helps those with barriers to be able to access our open hiring opportunities"