Careers at Squire's
At Squire’s we know that it’s our people who make the Company successful. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it. Both our employees and our customers are extremely important to us.
Many of our employees have worked for the business for a number of years. They’re interested in what they sell and have excellent product knowledge. All of our employees are trained on products, sales and service.
It is important to us that our employees know that.
- They are working for a successful business, that their work is worthwhile and satisfying.
- They are respected and valued, whoever they are and wherever they work.
We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’.
No matter which area of the business you join you will find there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills and develop a rewarding career.
We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness, and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’. In turn we will provide an extensive benefit package, please see below.
• Employee Discount – 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
• Holiday (including bank holidays) – 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 week after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
• Bonus – We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date)
• Pension – We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
• Attendance – After one years’ service, if you have worked for a full financial year and have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a ‘Thank you’.
• Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) – A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner. All winners select a gift to receive.
• Learning & Development – You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
• Birthday – After 6 months service if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early (holiday policy rules apply). If you have 2 years’ service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher (pro rata for less than 40 hours).
• Cycle2work scheme – After 1 years’ service, a government initiative which offers a 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted out of your pay over 12 or 19 months.
• Child’s first day at school – After 1 years’ service come in late and go home early on your child’s first day of school life, so that you can be there to take them and pick them up from school on their first day.
• RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub – After 1 years’ service Squire’s employees can choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year up to the value of £50 retail on the anniversary of your engagement or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – After 2 years’ service employees are eligible to join an EAP, that gives them access to a range of wellbeing resources, etc.
• Retirement – After 15 years’ service if you are retiring and have over 15 years’ service, your contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth, but your pay will remain the same for your final 3 months.
• Free Parking – Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our site.
We want our employees to enjoy their work and feel that they have all the skills they need to do their job to the best of their ability.At Squire’s we believe that everyone has the capacity to learn and grow. From first-class hands-on Horticultural training in conjunction with RHS Wisley to E-learning courses with over 50 modules.
You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
When you join us, you will receive an induction that will help you settle into your team, giving you an understanding of the company and your role, leaving you feeling passionate, inspired and excited about your career with us.
As horticulture is fundamentally important to our business, in 2014 we launched our horticultural apprenticeship scheme; ‘Grow Our Own’, so that we can train and nurture employees that work in our plant area, giving them the necessary skills and knowledge to advise customers. Apprentices in horticulture lead exciting and varied working lives and are in high demand.Click here for more information
RHS Membership – we offer all our apprentices free student membership while studying their RHS qualifications.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/membership/rhs-student-membership
Steven Guy – Plant Area Senior Sales Assistant – Squire’s Twickenham
I have worked for Squires for 20 years, initially as a Houseplant Supervisor then for the last 7 years in the plant area where I have the responsibility for looking after many of my favourite kinds of plants in particular hardy perennials, ferns, alpines and roses.
The seasonality of many of the plants as well as their sheer variety makes for interesting work.
More recently, I have been involved with running the gardening workshop days which allows me to pass on my plant knowledge to customers and teach them on a number of topics which I always enjoy.
I also carry out talks and demonstrations for local groups on behalf of Squires which I find rewarding.
