Country Road workers are bracing for large-scale layoffs as the retailer struggles to generate sales amid allegations that its culture is rife with bullying and sexual harassment.
Country Road Group, which operates brands including Country Road, Trenery, Mimco, Witchery and Politix, has hired Sydney-based consultancy Bendelta to help rebuild its bruised corporate culture.
Employees of the retail giant, which posted a five percent drop in sales in the first half of its 2024 financial year, allege their complaints about sexual harassment, racism and bullying have been mishandled by management.
But insiders at the company’s Melbourne headquarters fear the outside consultants will lead a restructuring of the company that will lead to major job losses, they said. The Australian.
Bendelta consultants have already held discussions with a number of Country Road Group’s nearly 7,000 employees.
Roy Bagattini, the CEO of South Africa’s Woolworths Holdings, which owns Country Road Group, reportedly tried to calm staff concerns with a visit to the company’s headquarters in Burnley, in Melbourne’s east, earlier this month.
His visit came after the departure of Country Road boss Elle Roseby last week, who was seen as a staunch defender of aggrieved workers.
Country Road Group, which has brands including Country Road, Trenery, Mimco, Witchery and Politix, has hired Sydney-based consultancy Bendelta to help rebuild its bruised corporate culture
Employees of the retail giant, which posted a five percent drop in sales in the first half of its 2024 financial year, have alleged their complaints about sexual harassment, racism and bullying have been mishandled by management (stock image)
In May, it was revealed that the retailer was facing allegations of sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace.
The scandal led to the departure of two top executives.
Daily Mail Australia approached Country Road Group for comment.
