High street chain Timpson has kicked off a debate after its boss went on social media to publicise the retailer's policy of giving its staff an extra week's holiday and £100 when they get married.
Chief exexcutive James Timpson said on Twitter: "This is a busy time of the year for colleagues at Timpson to get married, so it’s great to be able to give them an extra weeks holiday (fully paid), £100 towards the flowers, and provide a nice car and driver to be used on the special day."
And some followers on the social media platform praised the company, which is regarded as having one of the best staff perks packages in the UK. @PaulJer02162326 said: "I guess this is one of the reasons that whenever I go into a Timpson's shop, the staff are always incredibly polite, friendly and helpful." while @Derbyshireboy64 remarked: "A businessman who has always reached out to look after his staff. Legend, deserves to be knighted."
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@urbanfox93 said: "I’ve said this before but Timpsons are such an excellent employer - if nothing else for their long term commitment to the resettlement of offenders There *is* such a thing as society." However, other followers were not so happy about the benefit, saying it was unfair to people who were not getting married.
@HayleyRelph asked: "Do you have a policy of equivalent value for people celebrating different milestones? Some might not choose marriage or children but give the same commitment to your company," while @alexthompo said: "A lovely gesture but this is a bit of a bugbear of mine. Why do married people get more privileges? If someone chooses not to marry, are they not worthy of time off? And a financial helping hand?"
Timpson, which has around 2,000 shops around the UK, is well-known for the perks it gives its 5,400 staff, including a weekly bonus scheme based on branch turnover, free holiday homes for staff to stay, a £1000 weekly staff lottery, and mental health support - all overseen by a Director of Happiness. The chain - which includes Johnsons The Cleaners and Snappy Snaps, as well as a handful of pubs - has been in the top 10 of the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For every time it has entered. and also gives colleagues a day off for birthdays, a child’s first day at school, becoming a grandparent and pet bereavements.
The company is also well-knows for its policy of employing ex-offenders, which make up over 10% of its workforce, and running pre-release training in several prisons. In an interview earlier this year, James Timpson explained his philisophy for success - don't be afraid to try somethjing out and be a follower, not a leader. Speaking at the Market Research Society Conference in March, James Timpson admitted his ‘business shouldn’t exist anymore’ and said virtually all its competitors go bust, according to Retail Gazette.
“We’ve managed to keep going by having this desire just to survive and wanting to survive by being really good at what we do, making sure we fill the business with amazing people and letting them get on with it,” Timpson said. “We’ve got the confidence to do it, because we know if it goes wrong it’s ok,” he said “Most of the mistakes that are made are mine. When we make a mistake, I’m happy to fail fast and if it doesn’t work don’t keep trying to put lipstick on a pig, as they say. I really like copying people, so I’m happy to be the follower not the leader on these sorts of things.”
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