My Onboarding Journal Christmas Sales Associates Quick Start Guide ❄️
Welcome To Signet
Welcome To Signet
We're delighted that you've joined us for the festive season and become part of our retail team. Christmas is our busiest and most exciting time of year, and this quick start guide is here to help you feel prepared, informed, and confident before you step into your store. Inside you'll find the essentials: who we are, what to expect on your first day, how to stay connected, and the training you'll need to complete on Inspire Academy, our learning platform. Most importantly, remember that you're not expected to know everything on day one. Your manager and colleagues will be there to support you every step of the way. Your journey starts here. Let's get ready to shine this Christmas. 🎄
What’s Inside Signet
What’s Inside
01
Signet at a Glance
02
Your First Day
03
Christmas Trading Essentials
04
Staying Connected
05
Essential Compliance Training
06
Your Christmas eLearning
07
What's Next
Who we are, our brands & our values
Dress code, breaks & store protocols
Hours, peak days & customer service
Systems, contacts & support
8 modules everyone must complete
Your brand-specific training checklist
Life after Christmas
Signet Jewellers The World's Largest Retailer of Diamond Jewellery Signet Jewellers is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewellery and our parent company. With over 2,800 stores worldwide and beloved brands including H Samuel and Ernest Jones in the UK, Signet exists to help customers celebrate life's most meaningful moments. Our purpose: Inspiring Love. Inspiring Life. Our core values guide everything we do: People First We care for each other Own It We take responsibility and act with integrity Lead Bravely We embrace change and innovate Inspire Love We deliver with passion and pride Customers We create truly memorable experiences
2,800+
£6bn+
Stores worldwide
Annual revenue
35,000+ Colleagues globally
160+ Years of heritage
Dress Code & Appearance Looking the Part As jewellery specialists, how we present ourselves reflects the quality of our brands. Your manager will walk you through the full-dress code guide on Day 1, which is also available via the Hub. Here's a quick overview:
H Samuel
Ernest Jones
Smart, stylish and approachable. Our look is polished but warm
Our presentation reflects the premium nature of the brand. Formal, elegant attire is expected.
Your store manager will share your specific brand's full style guide on Day 1.
Breaks, Lunch & Your Wellbeing Break Entitlements Your entitlement to breaks is set out in your contract and our Working Time Policy, in line with the Working Time Regulations. UK and Eire rules differ: Shifts under 6 hours UK: no statutory break, though your manager may agree a short rest. Eire: a 15-minute uninterrupted break once you work 4½ hours or more. Shifts of 6 hours or more UK: a 20-minute uninterrupted break. Eire: a 30-minute break, plus a one-hour midday break if your shift covers 11.30am–2.30pm. Discuss with your store manager your specific break entitlements. Lunch Lunch breaks are staggered to ensure the store is always covered. Your manager or buddy will let you know your break time at the start of each shift. Bring your own food or explore what's nearby, your buddy will be happy to show you the local spots!
Remember to bring your bank details with you to update your personnel record.
Store Protocols & Day-One Essentials 🔐 Security & Keys
📵 Mobile Phones
You'll be introduced to key security and access on Day 1. Never share access codes. If you see anything suspicious, report it to your manager immediately.
Personal mobile phones should be stored in your locker during your shift. Urgent calls can be handled during your break time.
🤒 Notifying Absence
🚪 Fire Safety
If you're unable to come in, contact the Duty Manager in store as soon as possible, ideally before your shift starts. Please ask your manager for a copy of the Absence Policy
Fire exits, extinguishers and assembly points will be shown to you during your store walkthrough. Familiarise yourself with these on Day 1.
📍 Store Tour
💼 Lockers & Personal Items
You'll get a full tour of the store, including the stockroom. Lift stock safely, and ask your buddy if you need anything shown again.
Lockers are available for your personal belongings. Your manager will show you where to find yours and how access works.
Key Systems & Contacts Key Systems The Hub signet.co.uk/hub, your intranet home. Everything is here, from policies to organisation charts. Inspire Academy Your learning platform for all training modules. Access via The Hub. ESS (Employee Self-Service) Update your bank details, view payslips and manage your working patterns. Retail Assist IT support for any system issues, log tickets here for fast help. Stream A financial wellbeing app giving you access to earned wages and savings support.
🎄 Christmas Trading Essentials 🕐 Extended Trading Hours
Stores open longer through December, including extra Sundays and later evenings. Your manager will confirm your specific shift pattern in advance – check the rota regularly as hours can change week to week.
🎄 Peak Trading Days
Black Friday, the final Saturdays before Christmas, and Boxing Day are our busiest days of the year. Extra colleagues are scheduled on these dates and breaks may be staggered more tightly – your manager will talk you through the plan. No holidays will be authorized during December.
🎁 Gift Wrapping & Returns
Many customers ask for gift wrapping, especially in the final week before Christmas. Your manager will show you the store's wrapping station and house technique. Your Store Manager or Buddy will advise you of the returns policy for the Christmas period.
✅ Essential Compliance Training These 8 modules cover the essential compliance topics every colleague must complete, regardless of brand or role – they sit alongside your brand eLearning, not instead of it.
Essential Compliance Onboarding – All Colleagues ☐ Code of Conduct Essentials for Onboarding
☐ Fire Safety Legislation & Health & Safety
☐ An Introduction to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
☐ Fire Safety – Your Responsibilities
☐ The Health & Safety at Work Act ☐ Employee Responsibilities
☐ GDPR Compliance ☐ Understanding Cybersecurity ☐ Sexual Harassment In The Workplace ☐ How to Deal with Harassment
This is a legal and safety requirement, so please treat it as a priority – aim to complete all 8 modules within your first few days.
Find these under Essential Compliance Onboarding in Inspire Academy. Your Store Manager will confirm your deadline.
🎁 Your Christmas eLearning Checklist Complete these modules on Inspire Academy during your first weeks – the core list applies to everyone, plus a couple of brand-specific modules for your store. Tick each one off as you go.
Core Modules – All Colleagues ☐ Welcome to Signet
☐ Signet Watches
☐ Love your Benefits
☐ Diamonds
☐ Building Customer Relationships
☐ Warranty Training
☐ Online Appointment Booking
☐ Signet Credit Programme
☐ Increasing ATV
☐ Valuations
☐ Jewellery Styles, Metals & Hallmarks
☐ Repairs
☐ Birthstones
☐ Downey Designs
☐ Pearls
Brand-Specific Modules A few modules are unique to your brand – complete only the set below that matches your store.
Ernest Jones colleagues
H Samuel colleagues
☐ Wavelength – An Introduction
☐ The Vibe – An Introduction
☐ Wavelength
☐ The Vibe
☐ Ernest Jones Diamond Promise
☐ H. Samuel Diamond Selling Protocols
☐ Ernest Jones Diamond Selling Protocols
☐ H. Samuel Diamond Protocol – Supporting Daily Selling Practices
☐ Ernest Jones Christmas Onboarding Checklist
☐ EJ Diamond Protocol – Supporting Daily Selling Practices
☐ H. Samuel Christmas Onboarding Checklist
Suggested pace: aim to complete the Core Modules within your first week, and your Brand-Specific Modules by the end of week two. Access everything via The Hub → Inspire Academy – your Store Manager will confirm your exact deadline.
What’s Next 📦 Finishing Your Placement As Christmas trading winds down, your manager will confirm your final shift date. Before you leave: return your name badge, and any keys or locker items; make sure your final timesheet is complete and you've clocked out correctly; and let the People Team know if your address or bank details are changing, so your last payslip and P45 reach you.
✨ Could This Be the Start of Something? If you've loved your time with us, let your manager know. Strong performers are often considered for permanent or extended roles, and store teams are always keen to keep talented colleagues on board – there's no harm in asking.
💝 One Last Thing Thank you for being part of our Christmas team. Whatever comes next for you, we hope you leave with new skills, new friends, and some great memories of a very sparkly few weeks.
Welcome to the family. ✨ We're so glad you're here. Every great team starts with someone new who brings fresh energy, ideas and heart. That's you. If you ever have a question, no matter how small, just ask your buddy or manager. We've all been the new person, and we're here to help you shine. Thank you for helping us deliver a magical Christmas for our customers – your first few weeks make all the difference.