Retailer Jollyes has introduced a number of new measures to help recruit new talent and support longstanding colleagues.
The pet specialist chain, which now trades from more than 100 stores across the UK and employs more than 1,200 colleagues, has created a programme called ‘Fur-st Impressions’ that allows candidates to bring their pet with them to their interview.
Around 96% of Jollyes staff are pet owners, and a trial of the new scheme was found to ease the tension of job interviews and create a more comfortable, authentic environment for both the interviewer and the candidate.
Jollyes has also launched a dedicated recruitment and careers website to make the application process and business benefits more transparent for applicants. New perks have also been introduced for current Jollyes colleagues, including a ‘Career Paws’ scheme, which will allow colleagues to take a career sabbatical of up to six months, while having an equivalent role within Jollyes retained for them to take up upon their return.
Other Jollyes benefits include days off for birthdays; a ‘Pet-Eternity’ day for colleagues getting a new pet; a week off for all colleagues on full pay when they get married and discounts for staff and one member of the family.
For the first time, Jollyes was named as one of The Sunday Times’ best big companies to work in 2024 and the company has an ambition to be recognised as one of retail’s best employers.
Jollyes people director Claire Goldenberg said: “Our engaging and passionate colleagues are what sets Jollyes apart as they support pet parents in their communities who value their expertise and care.
“That’s why creating the right support for our people, from their very first interview and through their careers here at Jollyes, is so important to our ambitious growth.
“It’s a hugely exciting time for our business, with new investment which will see our store estate and headcount more than double in the next five years. But our success rests on recruiting and retaining the very best people for dream jobs working with animals and giving a helping hand to those that love them.”
