Country Road employees are bracing for widespread job cuts as the troubled retailer struggles to generate sales amid allegations it has a corporate culture rife with bullying and sexual harassment.
Country Road Group, whose brands include Country Road, Trenery, Mimco, Witchery and Politix, has hired Sydney-based consultancy Bendelta to help it repair its damaged corporate culture.
Staff at the retail giant, which reported a five per cent drop in sales during the first half of the 2024 financial year, have alleged their complaints of sexual harassment, racism and bullying were mishandled by management.
But experts at the company’s Melbourne headquarters fear that outside consultants could preside over a restructuring of the company, leading to major job losses, they said. The Australian.
Bendelta consultants have already begun meeting with some of the nearly 7,000 employees of Country Road Group.
Roy Bagattini, chief executive of South Africa’s Woolworths Holdings, which owns Country Road Group, reportedly sought to calm staff fears with a visit to the company’s head office in Burnley, in Melbourne’s east, earlier this month.
Her visit follows the departure last week of Country Road boss Elle Roseby, who was seen as a staunch defender of aggrieved employees.
Country Road Group, whose brands include Country Road, Trenery, Mimco, Witchery and Politix, has hired Sydney-based consultancy Bendelta to help repair its damaged corporate culture.
Staff at the retail giant, which recorded a five per cent drop in sales during the first half of the 2024 financial year, have alleged that their complaints of sexual harassment, racism and bullying were mishandled by management (file image)
In May, it emerged that the retailer was dealing with allegations of sexual harassment and workplace bullying.
The scandal led to the departure of two senior executives.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Country Road Group for comment.