What it’s like to work here
We want you to be happy that we’re the perfect place for you and your career. So, here’s a look at life and work at Sainsbury’s.
Our people are our special ingredient
It takes great people to make good food joyful and accessible to everyone. And we’ve got thousands of them.
In our supermarkets, convenience stores, offices and warehouses, you’ll find all kinds of people in every kind of role. We respect our teammates’ differences and help them build on their strengths. We bring the best out in each other. And we all work together to serve up happy moments for our customers, whoever and wherever they are.
By doing so, we all help take Sainsbury’s to the Next Level by driving a productive, inclusive and high-performance culture.
A better way of working
For us, wellbeing is about our people being happy, healthy and the best they can be. This is why we’ll empower you to work differently to find the perfect balance for your life, your work and the people in your team.
We want to encourage an environment where all colleagues have flexibility at work and we have several options available to help you adapt your working patterns to your needs.
For example, in our Store Support Centres we encourage Smarter Working. Smarter Working is designed to maximise performance, productivity and two-way flexibility, helping us meet the needs of our customers and our seven-day-a-week business.
A key part of our approach is ‘Smart Weeks’, where people are empowered to flex their working patterns to best fit the needs of their busy lives. What’s not to like?
Our Plan for the planet
For over 150 years, providing affordable and good quality food for all has been at the heart of who we are and everything we do. Our Plan for Better sets out our sustainability goals across our whole business. It is at the core of our purpose and integrated into everything we do. It is our commitment to play a leading role in creating a more sustainable future for our planet, our communities and our business.
Actions, not words
reduction in carbon emissions from our own operations.
meals donated to communities who need it most via our partnership with Neighbourly.
of RSPCA assured higher welfare products for over a decade.
Whoever you are, we are your Sainsbury’s
We want to be a truly inclusive retailer where every one of our colleagues can be their best and where our customers feel welcome when they shop with us. This is why we’ve kept inclusion at the top of our agenda since 2013. During this time, we’ve led the way in our industry – becoming the first to incentivise representation targets. To drive things forward, we work with partners including Diversity in Retail, Stonewall and The BDF. And we’ve just launched a strategy to take things to the next level.
Our approach is all about personal responsibility and leadership accountability. In other words, inclusion is everybody’s business at Sainsbury’s.
Good to know
The Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality 2015, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
A Disability Confident Leader.
We’re Henpicked accredited as a Menopause Friendly Employer.
Everyone can grow with us
Our mix of learning and development opportunities means you’ll always be supported to grow at Sainsbury’s. Whether it’s setting you up for success in your role, or opportunities to drive your future career aspirations, we’ve got an offer for you. From boot camps and apprenticeships to our wide-ranging suite of development content and leadership development offer, we’ve got something to take your skills to the next level.
Good to know
Apprenticeships and skills bootcamps.
Suite of online learning content.
Leadership development.
Our commitment to colleague wellbeing
We’re committed to making sure our colleagues have everything they need to be their best selves, in life, not just at work. That means access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing support that enables them to make positive and proactive choices to thrive in all aspects of life. We know that having happy, engaged and supported colleagues is also critical to the long-term success of our business and delivering on our purpose to make good food joyful, accessible and affordable to all.” We’re proud to be the only retailer recognised as a Tier 1 employer in the CCLA Corporate Mental Health Benchmark UK100 2024 for our approach to workplace mental health and wellbeing – the first and only retailer to do so.
Good to know
CCLA Corporate Mental Health Benchmark UK100 – Tier 1 employer.
3+ Wellbeing campaigns per year.
Dedicated Operating Board Sponsor for Wellbeing.
A basketful of rewards
Like the bread in our in-store bakeries, our reward package is tempting and satisfying – and it keeps getting bigger. You’ll get a great deal from day one. And the longer you stay and develop, the more you’re set to gain.
Your exact reward package will depend on your role, but there are plenty of rewards that absolutely everyone here gets. Here’s a quick look at some of them, but there’ll be plenty more to discover when you join.
Competitive pay
We make sure every one of our colleagues are fairly paid for the work they do.
Pensions
We have a pension scheme that you can join and if you don't we will automatically enrol you if you meet certain conditions. We will also pay into your pension.
Life Cover
We provide life cover equating to your annual contractual basic pay and enhanced life cover if you join the pension and pay Step Up contributions.
Colleague discounts
We give a joyful 10% off, and sometimes more, for you and a nominated second user, every time you shop with any of our brands.
Other retail savings
We give access to hundreds of discounts at over a thousand retailers, including restaurants, cinemas and retail stores. What’s not to love?
Wellbeing support
We’re here to support you our with 24/7 access to our employee assistance programme, an online wellbeing platform and much more.
Career opportunities
Alongside our opportunities to learn and grow, we provide an inclusive environment with active colleague networks.
Enhanced leave options
Our options include holiday, family leave (including maternity, paternity, adoption and more) and career breaks.