A suprising view from Lush

[Ali_H]

Hi all,
I have been watching the forum for a few days now, i dont post in here very often but as i am very relevant to the current publicity, i want to show you my point of view.

I am a lush shop assistant, at this point, im sure my popularity has sunk into minus numbers. But as some of you may know i am also a farmers daughter, a country girl, and a hunt supporter. This has put me in a some what compromising position. I have not been able to wor this week due to the campaign, which upsets me. But i will only speak badly of the company from this point of view, it is an amazing company to wor for, and until now has had a lot of respect from me!

Please remember everyone employed by lush is an individual, dont tar us all with the same brush.

Ali x

 

[Rowreach]

I have not commented on any of the Lush threads before, and some of the proposed "protest action" I thought sounded rather childish and potentially counter-productive, and imo put a lot of strain on people like you who have nothing to do with the company's policies. Good for you to post this.

Out of interest, how does the company view you in the light of you not working last week because of the campaign? :crazy:

 

[Ali_H]

Im not sure how far up the company my "opinions" have travelled. I expressed my views openly with my collegues, and it was decided that it wuld be better for me to have a weekend off. I think this was a good decision as i would not have coped well in the situation. But i am concerned about going back to work, and any "action" that could happen.

 

[Rowreach]

Well good luck tomorrow

 

[Annette4]

I have to admit I don't shop there anyway but I have a problem with the people who made the decision not the people who are told what to do so have/had no intention of taking it up with them. Having worked in retail I know how crap it is when something that's out of your control is blamed on you.

 

[camilla4]

Colourful Cobs - what a difficult position for you to be in. At least you spoke up though and it it good to hear that Lush were reasonable enough to work around it. I hope that this does not adversely affect you in any way. Thanks for posting this response from the other side. Good luck tomorrow

 

[oakash]

The main point for everyone to remember is that we (those of us who support hunting) should not buy Lush products and should make sure all their friends don't also. Thats what hurts the so-and-sos who made up this daft Lush policy of supporting thugs!

 

[combat_claire]

Just want to say I admire your courage for standing up for your point of view at work. That can't be an easy thing to do and I hope your colleagues don't give you a hard time for it tomorrow.

I'd like to reiterate what other posters have said about not supporting direct protests against shop staff, we don't after all want to stoop to the level of the group we are criticising!

 

[Cavblacks]

Hi Ali,

What a difficult situation for you to be in, I have to admit untill now I hadnt thought of how you all working for Lush might feel about the campaign, but its very brave of you to stand up for your views and I hope it doesnt make things too difficult for you.

 

[Ali_H]

Its so nice that you are all understanding my position.
I am abit worried about what pro hunt might do to shops and stuff, hopefully nothing to drastic.
I dont think lush really thought the campaign through, as i have had "threats" at college and loads of comments from people who know i work at lush, i feel i should be defending my employers, but i cant!
Our shop is located in the rather rural worcestershire, and there is a strong hunting culture here, so the back lash will be bad!
Im dreading going out hunting this season now!
xx

 

[Cavblacks]

Its so nice that you are all understanding my position.
I am abit worried about what pro hunt might do to shops and stuff, hopefully nothing to drastic.
I dont think lush really thought the campaign through, as i have had "threats" at college and loads of comments from people who know i work at lush, i feel i should be defending my employers, but i cant!
Our shop is located in the rather rural worcestershire, and there is a strong hunting culture here, so the back lash will be bad!
Im dreading going out hunting this season now!
xx

That is just awful you are receiving threats and comments - you didnt pick who they supported AND you have shown you dont agree. I agree Lush dont seem to have thought this through properly about how their staff and customers might feel about it - how do the others you work with feel about it? Maybe its not so close to home and doesnt affect them as much but do they support the campaign or they just getting on with it?
xx

 

[BayJosie]

All I can say is, how much I admire you.

 

[Ali_H]

I cant really speak for the other girls working in the shop, as it is not a subject we bring up regularly. But i know most of them are in support of the campaign, and i have a feeling they are rather unaware of the activitiew of the hunt sabs.

I think many people who are regular customers will be rather disolusioned by the campaign and will not shop there any more, on principal! The company has done so many positive things such as reducing palm oil use to save rainforest, but i think this may all be over shadowed by the last few weeks!

Our products are lovely and so is the core ethics of a "lush life" but sometimes i wonder wether these kind of campaigns run the risk of being "any publicity is good publicity" I love working in the shop, and the customers are friendly and interesting, but now i seem abit of a fraud! Lush on a company level is all about free speech, so at an employee level i believe this should be true aswell!

xxx

 

[Natch]

Thank you for coming on here to speak. I hope this is a reminder to anyone who thinks action in the shops is a good idea - the ground level staff aren't the ones to approach on the issue.

 

[Cavblacks]

Have also seen your post on other forum, feel terribly awful for you about your postition must be very difficult to feel you have to choose between your job and and your beliefs.

I agree its a shame Lush have chosen his route as I did previously shop there on occasions and used to enjoy receiveing gifts from there, they have done some good work previously but I cannot agree with this current campaign and will not shop there again and will not ask for any gift sets or bath bombs this xmas

Ditto above post too, thanks for telling us your view and bringing it to everyones attention that not all of Lush's employees should be tarred with the same brush.

I do hope this situation resolves itself for you and quickly

 

[Ali_H]

I wrang sean again, and he had lots of time for me to chat with him. I think the press office has been a little mental for obvious reasons! He said i should be able to express my views both in a out of the shop.. and that we all have our right to disagree with the campaign. This made me feel alot better.... a much smilier Ali now!

xxx