Maternity - at least 16 weeks' maternity leave on full pay (compared to statutory minimum of six weeks at 90% pay) and/or at least four weeks' leave above the statutory minimum of 40 weeks. Long service - at least 40% of the staff have worked there for more than five years
Gym - either an on-site gym or offering subsidised membership for a nearby gym
Just as every key they cut is different, every worker at Timpson has space to be an individual. There are 315 branches — which also provide shoe and watch repairs, engraving, dry cleaning and associated merchandise — but staff still feel closely connected to their chairman. An impressive 90% of workers have faith in John Timpson’s leadership; 85% say that the chairman is full of positive energy, and 79% see him as an inspiration.
The company was originally a shoe-making business, started by John Timpson’s great-grandfather in 1865. It went public in the 1920s, and was taken over by United Drapery Stores in 1972, but Timpson led a management buyout in 1983, buying back a majority share. The manufacturing side was sold and he started to develop the services the branches now focus on.
Both he and his son James, the company’s new managing director, take a hands-on approach. The chairman regularly invites employees to lunch to discuss new initiatives or give their perspective on the business. He has an open-door policy, and holds briefings for everyone in the company. Once a year, he and the managing director go on the road, visiting every branch in the country.
Although Timpson does have an equal opportunities policy, there are only 172 women within the 979-strong workforce, which may illustrate the difficulty of recruiting women to the shoe repair industry. Those that do decide to join the company find that it offers generous and flexible maternity leave, as well as help with childcare and flexible work patterns.
The company believes in praising 10 times more than criticising, and area managers issue so many prizes that many carry a permanent stock in the boot of their cars.
A high 86% of employees surveyed feel that workplace benefits are fair. “While no company is perfect in all things,” says one, “I feel that Timpson tries day by day to further the business through positive encouragement given to the staff.”
The vast majority of employees (82%) are proud to work at Timpson; they feel supported, listened to and know that they will be cared for financially. Despite a high turnover of staff (38%), four-fifths say that they would miss the company if they left.
