Diversity

[#1]

I wonder how diverse the staff is at various Sephora stores. Here in Toronto, I see non-caucasian staff but I think staffing could better reflect actual demographics in Toronto where people and customers hail from all over the world. Believe me when I say that greater diversity at Sephora would go a long way toward strengthening any kind of loyalty I might have to the store - ESPECIALLY if diversity was reflected all the way up into the executive level.

Speaking as someone who has worked in environments where diversity is a central part of HR and hiring, I can say that it makes a difference. I honestly didn't think it would but where I am, I feel like our division is truly a little slice of Toronto and I find it makes for a much richer, more open minded atmosphere.

In addition to ethnicity, it would be nice to see older female staff as well. Look at Beauty Talk - we regularly have older women posting questions. I imagine that it would be great to be able to walk into a store and see people your own age giving advice.

[#2]

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pocketvenus wrote:

In addition to ethnicity, it would be nice to see older female staff as well. Look at Beauty Talk - we regularly have older women posting questions. I imagine that it would be great to be able to walk into a store and see people your own age giving advice.

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I totally agree -- most of the store employees I have come across (with the exception of an extremely knowledgable 50+ woman and man) are all in their very early 20s. Even for me (at 30), when I ask about anti-aging regimens, it's difficult for me to take advice from an obviously very young person who reassures me that a particular eye cream works wonders on her own lines (what lines?). If I have this issue, I could only imagine how someone who is older than I am might feel. It would be great to see an effort to recruit those of all ages to work in the store, not just the young and attractive. I am not implying that this IS Sephora's m.o., but in any retail/cosmetic setting, hiring someone young and pretty is pretty much the norm -- though I realize that this population is likely larger represented in retail applications.

[#3]

The Sephora stores around here seem quite diverse for the community.  There's a good range of employees too.  I would even go as far to say one location in particular has the 30+ employees with the most hours.  The metro area tends to have the melting pot, and the ones closer to the universities have the younger cast members. 

It escapes my mind how diverse it was in Honolulu but I was on vacation and only briefly went inside to see what products they had.  Will have to keep an eye out for it on my next trip out of state. 

It might be all a matter of who manages the stores varying on location and general demographics.  Around here, skill and experience outweighs hiring anyone which can make it difficult for first time job seekers with little background.

[#4]

Just wanted to add to this thread that I should've researched all of Sephora execs instead of just the CEO. It's good to see more than one woman - plus a woman of colour - on the exec team! Glad I looked the whole exec team up - it's impressive.

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/people.asp?privcapId=34217

[#5]

Hi pocketvenus! I am more than happy to pass your feedback on Please know that at Sephora we are open to hiring and employing people of all ages, genders,  ethnicities and demographics to help in our stores and work with our company. Thanks again!

[#6]

Thanks for passing the message along Sometimes it can be hard to encourage people to apply too, so I do realize that it takes quite a bit of upfront effort to reach out to potential applicants who don't see themselves reflected in the larger beauty industry or don't feel they have a place in it.

[#7]

Absolutely! I used to work in a Sephora store and it was a great demographic of all ethnicities there and even ages. I worked with a wonderful woman who was the same age as my grandmother but was just as enthusiastic and passionate about her products as the rest of us. Thanks again!