Sephora employees have raised concerns about recent changes implemented by the company, which they claim have resulted in reduced hours and the elimination of certain perks. The changes are part of an initiative called “Project Shift,” as reported by Business Insider. Six current and former Sephora employees, who have been verified by Business Insider, spoke anonymously about their experiences. They stated that they were unexpectedly reclassified as “flex” employees in February, which means their shifts are no longer guaranteed. Additionally, flex employees are no longer eligible to receive free makeup products to try at home.
Under the new policy, employees who cannot commit to at least three days of availability per week are classified as flex, while those who can are considered part-time. This change has resulted in some flex workers going months without shifts. Furthermore, flex employees will no longer receive the monthly gratis bag, which contains free beauty products valued between $250 and $1,000. The gratis bag was a significant benefit for employees, compensating for the lack of pay.
Sephora confirmed that flex and temporary employees do not receive gratis but mentioned that they can still obtain free products from visiting brands. The company stated that the changes were intended to provide health benefits and sick time to more employees, including part-time workers who were previously ineligible. However, some employees expressed disappointment and frustration, with one long-term employee deciding to leave Sephora due to the loss of gratis.
Employees also voiced concerns about the increased emphasis on sales targets, stating that they feel pressured to prioritize selling over customer service. Many employees reported a significant reduction in their working hours, making it less worthwhile to remain with the company. Sephora, owned by LVMH, celebrated reaching $10 billion in sales in 2023 but faced criticism from employees who felt unheard.
The changes implemented under Project Shift have led some employees to question their loyalty to Sephora, with one former employee describing the company as transitioning from a dream job for makeup enthusiasts to a transaction-focused environment. The employee suggested that the name “Project Shift” should be reconsidered in light of the negative impact it has had on employees.
Please note that the specific location where these changes have occurred was not mentioned in the source article.
