A FORMER employee has revealed the strict rules she allegedly had to follow whilst working at the UK’s poshest store, Harrods.
Retail is one of the main industries where many have their first jobs – but have you ever wondered what it’s like working for the luxury department store Harrods?
Located in Knightsbridge, London, Harrods is home to over 3000 brands, designer fashion and accessories, luxury beauty, fine jewellery and watches, food, furniture and more.
The store has more than 3,000 employees, according to data by Statista, and one of them a few years ago was also beauty lover only known as Maggie A.
Since leaving Harrods, Maggie, who worked for the retailer for two years, has been taking to TikTok to spill the beans what it was really like inside the store – including the one item that was forbidden.
According to the young woman, there were plenty of rules the employees had to follow – however, some of them may have changed over the years.
No sitting
Although this may sound quite obvious, Maggie told the 592k followers on her page that those working on the shop floor were ”not allowed to lean on anything that was on the counter” or ”sit down”.
The only exception, she added in the video, was ”if you were pregnant”.
”Feet were on fire constantly.”
Forbidden item
Sharing the store’s secrets, Maggie also revealed the one popular item from the supermarket or your local cornershop that was big no-no.
”You were also absolutely not allowed to chew gum. Chewing gum was completely forbidden – which I was understand why.”
Harrods badge – a must at all times
Like many high-end retailers, Harrods, too, allegedly made their employees wear badges ”at all times”.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”H Beauty’s Grand Expansion: New Glasgow Store Unveiled” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6364315795112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]According to Maggie, who regularly posts beauty and skincare content on the platform, those who forgot theirs at home ”would be told off”.
”You’d be told that ‘You need to do better’, ‘You need to bring it in the next time’ and you’d have to wear a replacement one that just said ‘Harrods’.”
Formal attire
Another big no-no the staff had to follow was ensuring their outfit wasn’t ”too revealing”.
Not only did the clothes have to be ”professional”, but Maggie noted the employer also required the garments to be ironed ”and muddy shoes were not permitted”.
The female workers were also allegedly told to wear heels – however, the former employee said they only listened to this rule when the store manager was in to avoid the telling off.
Smiling 24/7
Welcoming a hoard of potential customers every day, the luxury department store also allegedly wanted to ensure their workers smiled at all times.
”I can’t even tell you the amount of times I got told off for not smiling – when there would literally be no one around me, no one that I was smiling to.
”In their eyes, I would just still have to stand there smiling. Makes no sense.”