FIELDWORK REPORT

AT

SHOPPERS STOP, VADODARA

BY

VAISHNAVI SAXENA

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

SAMINA PATHAN

SUBMITTED TO

THE MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAO UNIVERSITY OF BARODA

DEPARTMENT OF FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK

COURSE NAME: POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN INDUSTRIAL

RELATIONS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 DECLARATION

I Vaishnavi Saxena hereby declare that the internship report at “Shoppers Stop” is the
outcome of my own research work based on personal study and has not been submitted previously
for award of any Diploma to this university or any other university.

Signature

Vaishnavi Saxena
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I sincerely thank to Shoppers Stop for giving me this opportunity to learn. I

acknowledge my profound sense of gratitude & sincere thanks to the management of same
for offering me this project & training in their prestigious organization.

I would like to thank Mrs. Deeksha Negi (Unit HR) who has given their valuable
time throughout my project work. I am also thankful to my project guide Ms. Samina
Pathan for helping me in completing the project. Last but not least, I am also thankful to all
staff of faculty of social work and my friends for helping me directly or indirectly in my
project.

Signature

Vaishnavi Saxena
 INDEX

SR No Name of chapter

1 Introduction & Review of Bombay Shops and Establishment

Act, 1948.

2 Organization Profile

3 Learnings and Observations

4 Conclusion
 Bombay Shops and Establishment Act, 1948.

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the regulation of conditions of
work and employment in shops, commercial establishments, residential hotels,
restaurants, eating houses, theatres, other places of public amusement or
entertainment and other establishments.

WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the regulation
of conditions of work and employment in shops, commercial establishments,
residential hotels, restaurants, eating houses, theatres, other places of public
amusement or entertainment and other establishments and for certain other purposes.

Gujarat Shops and Establishment Act 1948

 The Gujarat Shops and Establishment Act 1948 earlier called the Bombay
Shops and Establishment Act 1948, came into force on 11 th of January
1949, on the basis of Mr. Shantilal Shah’s Committee’s Report.
 The main objective of the Act as given in the Preamble of the bare text is to
“consolidate and amend the law relating to the regulation of conditions of
work and employment in shops, commercial establishments, residential
hotels, restaurants, eating houses, theatres, other places of public
amusement or entertainment and other establishments.”

[The act was previously called “The Bombay Shops and Establishments
Act”, however the word “Bombay” was substituted with “Gujarat” by
the Gujarat short title (Amendment) Act, 2011. The act applies to the
whole of the territory of Gujarat.]
REGISTRATION OF ESTABLISHMENT

Before venturing into the territory of the provisions dealing with the registration of an
establishment, we need to take a look into the definition of the term “Establishment”
as defined in Section 2(8) –

“Establishment” means a shop, commercial establishment, residential hotel,

restaurant, eating house, theatre or other place of public amusement or entertainment
to which this Act applies and includes such other establishment as the state
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be an
establishment for the purposes of this Act”

IN ACCORDANCE TO THE ACT THERE ARE THREE CATEGORIES OF

ESTABLISHMENT NAMELY;

 Establishments existing in local areas mentioned in Schedule I on the date

on which this Act comes into force
 Establishments existing in local areas on the date on which this section
comes into force.
 New establishments in local areas mentioned in Schedule I and other local
areas in which this section has come into force
Section 7 of the act deals with the registration of establishment, Section 7(1) deals
with the application format and content.

Section 7(1) lays down that every employer[1] of the establishment shall within 30
days of commencement of the act[2], commencement of the section[3] or
commencement of the work of the establishment[4] shall send to the Inspector of the
local area concerned a statement, in a prescribed form, together with such fees as may
be prescribed, containing-

1. The name of the employer and the manager, if any;

2. The postal address of the establishment;
3. The name, if any, of the establishment;
4. The category of the establishment, i.e., whether it is a shop, commercial
establishment, residential hotel, restaurant, eating house, theatere or other
place of public amusement or entertainment; and
5. Such other particulars as may be prescribed
On receipt of the statement and the fees, the Inspector shall, on being satisfied about
the correctness of the statement, register the establishment in the register of
establishments in such manner as may be prescribed and shall issue, in a prescribed
form, a registration certificate to the employer.

Section 7(3) of the act states the procedure to be followed in case of any kind of doubt
or difference of opinion between the employer and the Inspector relating to the
category of the establishment

In the event of any doubt or difference of opinion between an employer and the
Inspector as to the category to which an establishment should belong, the Inspector
shall refer the matter to the matter to the prescribed authority which shall, after such
inquiry as it thinks proper, decide the category of such establishment and its decision
shall be final for the purposes of this Act.

DETAILED PROVISIONS ON SHOPS AND ESTABLISHMENTS

Apart from providing a set procedure for registration, renewal and closure, the Gujarat
Shops and Establishment act also lays down provisions pertaining to the operations of
such establishments.

 For this purpose the act has laid down timing for opening, closing, interval
period for Shops and commercial establishments. The Act lays down that
shops dealing wholly with milk, eggs, meat and other farm and dairy
products should not open before 5 am, while shops other than those wholly
dealing with farm and dairy products should not open before 7:30 am.
 The acts have also laid down closing timing of the shops; it says that no
shops except the ones dealing with paan and beedi shall remain open after
8:30 pm, while paan-beedi shops are allowed to remain open till 11 in the
night.
The Act also prohibits hawking before and after closing hours of shops. Commercial
Establishments according to the act have the permission to remain open from 8:30 in
the morning to 8:30 in the night.

PROVISIONS RELATIONG TO EMPLOYEES

In dealing further with Shops and other establishments, the act takes a cue from the
Factories Act[6] and has laid down provisions on Cleanliness of premises and Health
and Safety of the employees.

In major establishment like Restaurants and hotels the act requires the establishment
to furnish Identity Cards to its employees.

Section 25 of the act lays down that

 “The employer shall furniture every employee in a residential hotel, restaurant or
eating house an identity card which shall be produced by the employee on demand by
an Inspector. Such card shall contain the following and such other particulars as may
be prescribed, namely,

1. The name of the employer;

2. The name, if any, and the postal address, of the establishment;
3. The name and age of the employee;
4. The hours of work, the interval for rest and holiday of the employee;
5. The signature (with date) of the employer or manager”
Apart from the health, safety and employment provisions the act from Section 35 to
Section 38C also deal with the provisions relating to Payment of Wages and Paid
Leaves to the employees.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE LAYS DOWN THE SUMMARISED PROVISIONS

OF LEAVES AS GIVEN IN THE ACT

Gujarat Shops and Establishment Act, 1948

Casual Sick
Type of Leave Privileged Leave/ Earned Leave Maternity Leave
Leave Leave

Quantum per 21 days on working 240 days in a

Nil Nil
year year

5 days after 3 months on completion

Entitlement Nil Nil
of 60 days working in that period Provisions of
Maternity Benefits
Accumulation 42 days Nil Nil Act, 1961 to apply

Suffixed or prefixed holidays to the leave period shall not be

Computation accounted as leave. Holidays or Sundays falling between the
period of leave shall be treated as leave
ENFORCEMENT & INSPECTIONS AND PENALTIES THERIN-

The Act also gives the power to the state for enforcement of the provisions and
inspections of the Shops and establishments, wherein the State is empowered to
appoint an inspector under this act, and that Inspector is given the power to
occasionally inspect the shops and establishments to check if the employer is
following the rules laid down by the act or not.

Offenders that are discovered after inspections are dealt with under this Act, which
has also provided penalties for any kind of offence under this act.

FEW MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

The Act also has laid down miscellaneous provisions under itself to bring in further
clarity of how the law is to operate, and also to ensure smooth running of the Shops
and establishments under this act. Following are some of the miscellaneous provisions
under the act.

Section 62 provides for maintenance of registers and records and display of notices as
per the prescribed rules. Section 63 provides for wages for overtime work in the
different categories of establishments and the explanation to that section provides for
a limit of hours of work for shops and commercial establishments, residential hotels,
restaurants, eating-houses theatres or other places of public amusements or
entertainments and also for any other establishment. Section 65 restricts double
employment on a holiday or during leave as per the Act. Section 66 provides for the
notice of termination of service. Section 69 preserves the rights and privileges under
other laws, contract, custom, usage or any award, settlement, etc., if such rights and
privileges are more favourable. Section 70 finally provides for the extensions of
the Factories Act to all persons employed in and in connexion with a factory,
notwithstanding the fact that the Factories Act did not apply to those non-workers.

OVERVIEW SUMMARY

The Gujarat Shops and Establishments act of 1948, takes a holistic approach while
dealing with Shops and Establishments, it takes into consideration of every situation
wherein the employer is placed, thus accordingly designing the provisions for him/her
to smoothly run his/her establishment. It also takes into its view sight the conditions
of the employees and it makes an attempt to safeguard their rights. Thus all in all the
Gujarat Shops and Establishments act is a very balanced legislation that takes into
consideration the rights and conditions of both the employer and the employee.
 Organization Profile

Shoppers Stop is an Indian department store chain, owned by the K Raheja Corp.
There are 86 stores across 40 cities in India, with clothing, accessories, handbags,
shoes, jewellery, fragrances, cosmetics, health and beauty products, home furnishing,
and decor products.

HISTORY

Shoppers Stop is India’s leading chain of premium department stores, it is a one-

stop destination for fashion, beauty and home products.

We are on a journey to inspire India to look good and feel confident. Our focus on
individuality and diversity allows us to empower people to express themselves
through fashion.

With a carefully curated range of trendy brands and our commitment to staying
updated with the latest fashion trends, we have become a trusted destination for
fashion enthusiasts nationwide. Every visit to our stores or online platform is an
exciting opportunity for our customers to explore and discover their unique style. We
take pride in providing exceptional service, ensuring that the shoppers feel valued and
supported throughout their shopping journey.

By handpicking new brands and staying ahead of emerging trends, we make sure that
our valued buyers have access to the most up-to-date and stylish offerings. We
encourage people to embrace their style, express themselves and celebrate their
uniqueness. Our goal is to create an unforgettable shopping experience. We
understand the transformative power of fashion and how it can enhance confidence
and self-expression. By inspiring individuals across India to look good, feel confident,
and embrace their individuality, we have become a beacon of style, fashion, and
empowerment.

Shoppers Stop has grown from a single store in 1991 to one of the largest omni
channel networks in the country today. Shoppers Stop has always believed in
customer centricity and creating great experiences for its customers.

Today, we operate 98 Shoppers Stop department stores, 7 premium home concept

stores, 146 Specialty Beauty stores of M.A.C, Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Clinique,
Jo Malone, Too Faced, SS Beauty, 3 Intune stores and 22 Airport doors, occupying
area of 3.9 million square feet. We have also ventured into the distribution business
under our 100% subsidiary ‘Global SS Beauty Brands Limited’.

Our First Citizens Club loyalty program continues to be best-in-class and one of the
longest-running programs. ‘Personal Shopper Program,’ is a one-of-a-kind initiative,
that is redefining the way Indians shop, giving an elevated shopping experience. The
brand’s varied Omni channel offering encompasses over 800+ known and trusted
brands across an unrivaled range of products with Shoppersstop.com.

The fact that Shoppers Stop is the only Indian member of the “Intercontinental Group
of Department Stores,” which includes Selfridges (United Kingdom), Karstadt
(Germany), Marks & Spencer (UK), Matahari (Indonesia), Myers Grace Bros.
(Australia), and Rustan’s (Philippines), attests to our unending pursuit to benchmark
ourselves with the best in the world.
At Shoppers Stop, we believe in an infinite world of possibilities. We always establish
goals, push boundaries, accomplish the unattainable, and celebrate our victories.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mr. B. S. Nagesh
Customer Care Associate, Chairman and Non-Executive Director
B. S. Nagesh is the Founder of a Public Charitable Trust TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers
and Retail Associates of India). He has been involved with Shoppers Stop and its
Group Companies since its inception in 1991, as the first employee. As part of his
personal philosophy of ‘Learn, Earn and Return’, he stepped out at the age of 50 from
the day-to-day roles of the business as Managing Director of the Company in 2009
and founded TRRAIN.

Mr. Ravi C. Raheja

Non-Executive Director
Ravi is the Group President of KRC group, and has over 28+ years of experience
across the real estate, retail, and hospitality sectors. He has steered KRC group’s
business towards building a robust portfolio of rent-yielding assets.

Mr. Neel C.Raheja

Non-Executive Director
An alumnus of Harvard Business School, with a strong background in finance and a
degree in Law from the University of Mumbai, Neel has around 26 years of rich
business experience. He has successfully extended the Company beyond the realms of
real estate to retail, malls and hospitality. He has been instrumental in ushering the
malls and department stores format in India, Inorbit Malls and Shoppers Stop being
outcomes of his endeavour to bring organised retail into India.
Mr. Nirvik Singh
Independent and Non-Executive Director
Nirvik brings to the Board his keen sense of marketing communications and 30+
years of experience in the industry. He is the Global COO & President International
of Grey Group, a leading global marketing communications network — overseeing
Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. He oversees a network
of 3,500+ professionals across 28 countries in 35+ cities.

Mr. Manish Chokhani

Independent and Non-Executive Director
A Chartered Accountant and MBA from the London Business School, Manish is one
of India’s most respected financial experts and investors. He is a Director at Enam
Holdings, the multi-billion dollar family office of the founders of Enam. He also
serves on the Governing Board of Flame University, one of India’s leading liberal arts
universities.

Mr. Mahesh Chhabria

Independent and Non-Executive Director
Mahesh Chhabria is the Managing Director at Kirloskar Industries Limited. In his
career spanning over three decades, Mahesh has undertaken several leadership roles
across private equity and investment banking firms.

Mr. Kavindra Mishra

Customer Care Associate, ED & CEO
Mr. Kavindra Mishra, Before joining Shoppers Stop as Chief Commercial Officer and
CEO – Homestop, Kavindra Mishra (Kavi) was working as the Managing Director
and CEO of House of Anita Dongre, which has brands of AND, Anita Dongre and
Global Desi.

Mr. Arun Sirdeshmukh

Independent and Non-Executive Director
Arun has been associated with the Fashion business in India for 25+ years and has
built some of India’s largest Fashion brands and Retail businesses. A Management
graduate from IIM Calcutta, Arun worked as the Group Brand Manager on brands
Van Heusen, Louis Philippe, and Peter England for Madura Garments (now Aditya
Birla Fashion).
Ms. Smita Jatia
Independent and Non-Executive Director
Smita Jatia is the Managing Director (MD) of Westlife Foodworld Ltd which owns
and operates the master franchisee of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India
under their wholly owned subsidiary, Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (HRPL). Smita
is a business stalwart with over two decades of experience in the QSR industry. She
has been at the forefront of leading the aggressive growth of McDonald’s in the
market and building it as one of the most loved brands in the country.

Vission, Purpose & Value

Vision
To be an inspirational and trusted brand, transforming customers’ lives through
fashion and a delightful shopping experience every time.

Purpose
To inspire our customers to look good and feel confident by fulfilling their lifestyle
choices in a sustainable way.

Values
AWARDS & RECOGNITION

IGDS Awards
2023
Shoppers Stop won the best team award at IGDS for personalization and customer
personas.

India's Best Companies to Work For

2023
Shoppers Stop recognized by Great Place to Work® India for continuous focus
on providing its employees with opportunities for professional and personal
development, besides inclusivity.
India Retail Champions Awards in Departmental Store Category
2023

India’s Top 10 Best Workplaces for Retail

2023
The Customer Fest Leadership Awards
2022
Best Loyalty Programme in Retail sector (Large/Multi brand format)

Images Retail Awards

2022
Category: Personalisation
11th ACEF Global Customer Engagement Award
2022
Data driven marketing – Personalisation

India’s Best Workplaces for Women

2022

India’s Best Workplace Top 10 in Health & Wellness

2022
Across industries
VM & RD Awards
2022
Shoppers Stop won the Gold for the Best In-store VM for its Lucknow Crown store.

Personalisation Innovator Award

2022
Shoppers Stop is India’s largest and most respected omni-channel fashion retailer that
houses more than 500 of the finest international and national brands across apparel,
non-apparel, beauty, fragrance & home.

Best Loyalty Program Awards

2020
•Best Loyalty Program in Large Format Retail
•First Citizen Black – Best use of Relationship marketing in Loyalty Program
•Kids Earn Burn Campaign – Best Loyalty Promotion
•Best Loyalty Team
HR Initiative of the year Awards
2020
HR Initiative of the year Personal Shopper Program
Recognition for Prior Learning – Skill Development

VM & RD Awards
2020
Shoppers Stop in Gurgaon has been awarded Merit 1 in the Department Store
category in the 2020 VM & RD Awards hosted by In-Store Asia.

Company of the Year – Retail

2019
“Company of the Year – Retail” award from CNBC in collaboration with
Chhattisgarh Government
Best Anchor Store Awards
2019
Raipur store awarded as Best Anchor Store by Ambuja City Center Mall

13th ELSC Leadership Awards

2019
Shoppers Stop wins for the 4th Year in a row at the 13th ELSC Leadership Awards
for “Best in Class Supply Chain Strategy and Design

DMA Asia ECHO Award

2019
DMA Asia ECHO Awards for two campaigns : “Its Our Time” and “Kendall Kylie
bags launch” These will also qualify for Echo global awards in New York this year
which is for entries across the world.
Most Admired Retail Company of The Year Award
2019
SHOPPERS STOP Wins The Coveted “MOST ADMIRED RETAIL COMPANY OF
THE YEAR AWARD” at MAPIC India Retail Awards 2019

Economic Times Brand Equity Awards

2019
Mother’s Day recycle saree campaign wins at Economic Times Brand Equity awards
which had 650 entries across Industries

Best Omnichannel Customer Experience Awards

2019
Best Omnichannel Customer Experience
Images Retail Awards
2019
Shoppers Stop won 6 awards at “Images Retail Awards 2019”
•Dynamic Design & VM : Vasant Kunj Store
•Visual Merchandise : VM for recycling clothes program with NGO GOONJ
•Customer Experience : Personal Shopper
•Loyalty and Customer Engagement : Brand Burn & Earn Program
•Business Enabler : Retail Tech Implementation Award
•Marketing & Promotions : Collections and Expansions, Clinique for 360 degree
omnichannel campaign[/bg_collapse]

Best Customer Service program and L&D

2019
Shoppers Stop won Gold for Best Customer Service program and Bronze for L&D
team of the year
Outstanding Performance Award
2019
Shoppers Stop awarded by Titan for Outstanding Performance in FY19

India's Retail Champion Award

2019
Best Department Store Award

Great Place to Work Award

2018
HR Initiative of the year Personal Shopper Program
Recognition for Prior Learning – Skill Development

Consumer Choice award

2018
Shoppers Stop , Alpha 1, Vastrapur wins consumer choice award from Mall
Management
CSR Excellence Award
2017
CSR Excellence Award by Bureaucracy Today

Top 25 Best Workplaces in Asia: Shoppers Stop

2015
Development and inspiration are the key pillars that bind and motivate the large
workforce at Shoppers Stop.

Most Trusted Retailer of the year Award

2014
Most Trusted Retailer of the year -Popular Choice by ET Retail Awards
 BRANDS OWNED BY SHOPPERS STOP

Our exclusive brands across fashion and beauty categories offer a strong value
proposition of pricing, quality and style. In addition, our new brands seek to meet
specific customer needs and elevate the overall range.

In Fashion, our exclusive labels are divided across four categories of Menswear,
Women’s Ethnic wear, Women’s Western wear and Kids wear. During the year, we
witnessed the best growth in Kids wear and Women’s western wear.

Kashish: Kashish is an Indian occasion wear brand with both a traditional and a
modern touch, making it perfect for every celebration. Identifying the need for
diversification, Kashish caters to customers who like to stick to tradition as well as
those who are young and inclined towards modern aesthetics.

STOP: Stop is a store brand that caters to the everyday clothing and lifestyle needs of
consumers at affordable prices. Stop offers great styles across Western and Indian
formals, Men’s casuals and kids’ wear for both men and women.

LIFE: Life presents an impressive range of denim and Western-inspired fashion,

catering to the current trends for young adults and kids. It offers amazing denim and
casual styles for men, women and kids.

Fratini: A fashion brand inspired by international styles and trends, Fratini’s wide
range of clothing offers casuals to formals. It is a confident and stylish brand that
offers a well curated contemporary collection of work, evening, party and desk-to
dinner.
Fratini collection has smart formals, and cool casuals in beautiful colours and
silhouettes.

Bandeya: Bandeya is our traditional ethnic menswear, suited and tailored for special
occasions and cultural celebrations throughout the year, adding glamour to joyous
moments. It is a brand that knows how to celebrate as India does in new and exciting
ways.

Karrot: Karrot caters to the infant wear category, covering the age group of 0-24
months. The brand understands the concerns of parents and assures them of quality
products that are safe and comfortable for their children.

Haute Curry: Haute Curry is a fusion of Indian and global design influences, that
reflects the lifestyle of the contemporary consumer. Its combinations of silhouettes,
fabrics and colours are inspired by cultural nuances to create contemporary fashion
and lifestyle products.

Insense: Insense is our innerwear and loungewear brand that raises the bar in its
category with comfortable products at affordable prices. Insense is designed for
women who prioritise comfort above everything else while still seeking playful
designs that reflect their youthful outlook.

Altlife: Altlife is training and athleisurewear which is a combination of esthetic, style,

comfort, and functionality. Altlife targets health-conscious customers pursuing fitness
and wellness activities such as a workout, sports and yoga.

U R You: An exclusive fashion brand that offers trendy clothes to plus-sized men and
women. ‘U R You’ is a modern fashion brand that aims to become the go-to brand for
plus-size customers offering sizes from 2 XL to 7 XL. It offers a range of great
quality, trendy and stylish ethnic, casual and formal fashion.

Arcelia: Arcelia offers access to the latest beauty experiences and products that meet
international standards and are perfectly suited to every woman’s needs and
preferences, offering a truly premium experience.
 Learnings and Observations

I had the pleasure of being introduced to the entire team at Shoppers Stop during my
first week with the company. The HR team organized a warm and welcoming
introduction session where I had the opportunity to meet and connect with each
member of the team. It was a great way to familiarize myself with the organizational
structure and understand the roles and responsibilities of each team member. The HR
team displayed professionalism throughout the session, ensuring that I felt
comfortable and included in the discussions. I left the session feeling excited and
motivated to work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals.

During my time at the company, I had the opportunity to attend an orientation session
where I gained a comprehensive understanding of the company's policies and
procedures. This session provided me with valuable insights into the organizational
structure and core values of the company. Following the orientation, I shadowed HR
personnel during their recruitment processes, observing how they effectively
evaluated candidates and ensured a fair selection process. Additionally, I had the
chance to assist in organizing employee onboarding materials, ensuring that new hires
had all the necessary resources to smoothly transition into their roles. Moreover, I
actively participated in a team meeting where we discussed upcoming HR initiatives.
It was a great opportunity to contribute my ideas and gain a deeper understanding of
how HR plays a vital role in driving organizational success. Overall, these
experiences allowed me to grow professionally and gain practical knowledge in the
field of HR.

 The tasks which were performed by us as an intern to HR: -

 Data Entry Source:
o Paper forms (applications, benefits changes, emergency contact
updates)
o Online portals or employee self-service systems
 o Emails or phone calls with employees for clarification
 Specific Data Points:
o Basic demographics (name, address, phone number)
o Emergency contact information
o Job title, department, and supervisor
o Salary and benefits information
o Performance review ratings and feedback
o Training records and certifications
o Leave of absence details
 Data Accuracy and Consistency:
o Verifying information with existing records or source documents
o Checking for typos, missing information, or formatting inconsistencies
o Using standardized codes or abbreviations for specific data points

 Assisting in Preparing Documents Employee Performance

Appraisals:

This involves tasks that support the performance review process:

 Gathering Information:
o Collecting employee self-evaluations
o Compiling manager feedback forms or notes
o Preparing reports on key performance indicators (KPIs)
 Organizing and Formatting Documents:
o Creating templates or using pre-defined formats for performance
reviews
o Ensuring all relevant information is included in a clear and concise
manner
o Maintaining consistency in formatting across all employee reviews
 Confidentiality:
o Handling sensitive employee information with care
o Ensuring only authorized personnel have access to performance review
documents
Attended an orientation session for new hires. Witnessed the
onboarding process, including paperwork completion and introduction
to company policies. Assisted in organizing orientation materials

 Orientation Session:

 Welcome and Introductions: We likely observed the HR team or company

leadership welcoming the new hires and introducing themselves and the
company. This includes a presentation about the company's history, mission,
vision, and values.
 Policies and Procedures: We saw a session dedicated to explaining company
policies, like dress code, vacation time, sick leave, and code of conduct.
 Benefits Overview: The HR team might have presented details about the
company's benefits package, including healthcare options, retirement plans,
and any perks or wellness programs.
 Department Introductions: Representatives from different departments
might have given brief presentations about their areas and how they contribute
to the company's overall goals. This could help new hires understand the
bigger picture and how their roles fit in.
 Q&A Session: There was likely a dedicated time for new hires to ask
questions about the company, their roles, or anything else on their minds.

 Witnessing the Onboarding Process:

 Paperwork Completion: We have seen the new hires filling out necessary
paperwork, like tax forms, benefit enrolment documents, and direct deposit
information. The HR team might have been available to assist them with any
questions or difficulties.
 Introduction to Company Systems: This could involve setting up new hires
with login credentials for company email, internal communication platforms,
or project management tools. They might also have received an overview of
any software or technology they'll be using in their roles.
 Workplace Tour: New hires might have been given a tour of the office or
workplace facilities. This helps them familiarize themselves with the layout,
common areas, and amenities.
 Meet and Greet: We have observed opportunities for new hires to meet their
colleagues, supervisors, and other team members. This could help them feel
more comfortable and integrated into the company culture.

 Our Role in Organizing Orientation Materials:

 Preparing Handouts: We have helped with creating or organizing handouts

with information about company policies, benefits details, contact information
for key personnel, or emergency procedures.
 Setting Up Presentation Materials: We have assisted with preparing
presentation slides or other visual aids used during the orientation session.
 Keeping Materials Organized: Ensuring that all necessary materials like
name tags, folders, or welcome gifts were readily available for the new hires.
Here's how I helped organize a team-building event for the HR department, drawing
from my experience:

Step 1: Gauge Team Interests and Needs

First, I wanted to ensure the event catered to everyone's preferences. I circulated a

quick survey to the team, asking about:

 Preferred Activity Style: Energetic and physical? Creative and problem-

solving? Relaxing and social?
 Past Team-Building Experiences: What worked well in the past? What could
be improved?
 Areas for Team Development: Communication, trust-building, conflict
resolution (anything specific to HR?)

Step 2: Brainstorm Activities

Based on the survey results, I started brainstorming activities. Since fostering team
cohesion and communication were key goals, here are some ideas I came up with,
considering different preferences:

Active and Energetic:

 HR Olympics: Fun, HR-themed challenges like building a recruiting pyramid

with pool noodles or a resume relay race.
 Escape Room Challenge: A collaborative escape room experience with
puzzles linked to HR scenarios.

Creative and Problem-Solving:

 DIY Team Building Kits: Sending pre-made kits to everyone's homes with
materials to build something together virtually (think Lego structures with a
company culture theme).
 "Blind Drawing" Challenge: Teams take turns drawing an HR concept (like
onboarding or performance reviews) based on a teammate's instructions,
leading to hilarious results and fostering communication.

Relaxing and Social:

 Volunteer Activity: Give back to the community as a team, strengthening

bonds while doing good.
 Potluck Lunch & Board Games: A casual lunch allows everyone to
socialize, followed by classic board games for some friendly competition.

Step 3: Get Feedback and Refine

I shared my proposed activities with the team, gathering their feedback. We narrowed
it down to two options that best fit everyone's preferences and addressed the team-
building goals.
Step 4: Planning and Logistics

Once we had a final activity, I took the lead on planning the logistics. This included:

 Securing materials: Ordering supplies for the chosen activity.

 Coordinating schedules: Finding a time that worked for everyone.
 Creating a schedule: Setting a timeline for the event, including activity
duration, breaks, and refreshments.

Step 5: Rock the Event!

On the day of the event, I helped set up the space, ensured everything ran smoothly
according to the schedule, and most importantly, participated with enthusiasm!

By actively participating in the planning and execution, I not only contributed to the
event itself, but also fostered a sense of ownership and engagement within the HR
team.
 Conclusion

My internship at Shopper Stop in the HR department was an invaluable experience

that provided me with a well-rounded understanding of human resources practices
within the retail sector. Here are some key takeaways that summarize my experience:

 Practical Exposure to HR Functions: I gained hands-on experience in

various HR tasks, from assisting with recruitment and onboarding to
supporting employee relations and training initiatives. This practical
application of HR concepts solidified my classroom learning.
 Understanding Retail Industry Dynamics: The internship exposed me to the
unique challenges and opportunities of HR in the retail landscape. I learned
about managing seasonal staff fluctuations, scheduling for peak hours, and
fostering a customer-centric culture within the workforce.
 Developing Interpersonal Skills: Working within the HR department honed
my interpersonal skills. I interacted with employees at various levels, practiced
active listening during onboarding sessions, and learned to navigate sensitive
situations with professionalism.
 Building a Network: The internship provided a platform to connect with HR
professionals and gain valuable mentorship. These connections can prove
beneficial for my future career path in HR.

Overall, my internship at Shopper Stop was a springboard that equipped me with

practical skills, industry knowledge, and a network of professionals. This experience
has solidified my passion for pursuing a career in Human Resources.