Setting Expectations for New Retail Employees

As the retail director of a New Jersey running company with several branches, Jennifer Heiner-Pisano works closely with the company’s founders to handle business development, inventory control, and hiring. This includes drafting manuals and employee handbooks for current and future employees.  

The following are some of the expectations we have of our Retail staff, and are certainly not all inclusive. Please refer to our Employee Manual for a full list of polices, procedures, and expectations.

Always be pleasant, even when you don't want to be.  Our customers deserve a friendly happy sales person!

It is expected that employees are ready to work at the start of their shift, so plan on arriving to the store 10-15 minutes before hand to change, use the restroom if needed, grab a snack, and put away your phone and be prepared to clock in for your assigned shift.

No cell phones within sight of customers.  If you have to call another store, be cognizant to remain professional in front of any customers.

Please refrain from personal laptop use during your assigned shift.  Laptops and computer use is permitted for Company assigned tasks.

There should never be food on the sales floor.  If you have coffee or another beverage (water, soda, etc.) it should be in a closed container and out of sight of customers.

Employees must wear Company clothes and sneakers.  Clothes should be clean and wrinkle free.  Sneakers should also be clean and in good condition.  We are walking mannequins, so we need to look the part.

Grooming.  Employees should be groomed to a professional level.  Hair brushed, beards clean, makeup natural looking.

No employees pets allowed in the store.  Customers pets follow the guidelines of the town/mall.

We encourage staff to invite their friends and/or family members to come and shop or visit, but friends are not allowed to hang out in the store for an extended period of time. 

Never disrespect our competitors to customers, it reflects poorly on us.  You can highlight the advantages and benefits of the Company over a competitor, while maintaining respect for the competitor.

Information such as sales volume/numbers, business procedures and practices, and so on, is considered confidential and proprietary to the Company.  Sharing this information with third party is strictly forbidden and libelous to the employee.

Employment is at will and Infractions of company guidelines may result in termination of employment.