PEOPLE & CULTURE
If you’re looking for somewhere you can learn quickly, make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced business, and grow your career, you’re in the right place.
If you think our values match who you are and the kind of place you are looking to work, then get in touch.
Click on the site you wish to apply for to see our current vacancies
OUR FAMILY
At the heart of our business is our family – our team.
We are wildly passionate about our workplace culture and providing a GREAT place to work for our ever growing teams across all of our sites. Our Values and Behaviours run through absolutely everything we do, from how we recruit, engage and motivate, to how we develop and reward our team of GREAT people.
If our Values and Behaviours resonate with you and you are looking for a workplace that you can feel proud of, then look no further than one of our garden centres, which we like to call ‘destination centres’, where you’ll find there is so much more in store.
We have a wide variety of career opportunities, so whether it’s a career in retail, catering, warehouse operations, play or one of our head office functions, then this could be the perfect place for you.
OUR VALUES
We recognise that each of us is different in our personalities, job roles and abilities but our Values and Behaviours are what make us an incredible place to work for.
Our whole team make nominations that recognise monthly Values award winners in our six categories, Excellence, Honest, Respectful, Team, Accountable and Positive.
We’ve recently added an additional Value of ‘Climate and Community’ following our commitment to become a leading sustainable business. Our value enables us to be more conscious with our actions and behaviours when it comes to the climate and our local communities in which we operate.
Take a look below at what each of these means to us on a day to day basis.
-
We are proud to work here and always give a warm, friendly ‘’Yorkshire’’ welcome to everyone
We have a ‘can do’ attitude and find solutions to any problem
We work in a professional way with energy, enthusiasm, and commitment
We love to ‘get stuck in’ and react positively towards change
-
We take responsibility for our work and ownership of our actions – making sure we deliver on our promises
We own our mistakes and learn from them
We take pride in our work, producing the best of our ability
We pass on knowledge to help others make the right decision or to do the right thing
-
We are respectful, courteous and considerate towards everyone and everything
We take pride in delivering the needs of others
We respect and care for the environment we work in
We are open minded and non judgemental
-
We give honest advice and feedback in a sincere and genuine way
We are consistent and reliable in our approach
We make time for others when they need us the most
We are inquisitive and ask questions to give the right advice
-
We use our knowledge and experience to educate each other
There is no ‘faffin’ here, just giving 100% of our effort, every day
We strive to learn and grow – just like our pots and plants
We lead by example at all times
We settle for ‘Great’
-
Our approach is ‘Your team is my team, and my team is your team’
We help and support each other to provide a great experience for everyone
We communicate clearly and effectively with each other so things run smoothly
We are resourceful and versatile in our approach
-
We take meaningful action to reduce our carbon emissions both personally and professionally
We take pride in learning how to care for our planet and we share our knowledge with others
We make sure that our decisions are as climate conscious as they can be
We demonstrate we care by giving back to causes close to our hearts
WE GROW GREAT PEOPLE
We invest in developing our people and harnessing their strengths so our team can reach its full potential. We are proud to promote talent from within, offering great progression opportunities that come with training to match. We create training and development opportunities for all our team, from customer service, plant knowledge and first aid training to expanding skills in an apprenticeship or through leadership training.
CREATING A GREAT CULTURE
What we do at Tong goes far beyond profits, we work hard to create an environment where everyone can flourish and be their full self at work. We care passionately about our people and our culture is driven by listening, support and empowerment. With daily and weekly huddles, ‘Time to Talk’ catch ups, team activity days and Mental Health first aiders, we aim to offer everyone the support they need not just at work but as their whole self too.
Annual Awards
Each year we celebrate our Values where our management team select six overall Values Champions from a full year of outstanding monthly winners who all demonstrate the values at the heart of our business.
MEET SOME OF OUR VALUES WINNERS
-
Shannon | Positive
Shannon was the recipient of our ‘Positive’ Award after receiving 8 nominations across the year in recognition of her contribution to the business.
-
Kevin | Team
Our ‘Team‘ Award winner, Kevin Smith (Joinery Manager, YGC) who has worked across the business, transforming not only the shop floors but also spaces behind closed doors that only our teams see.
-
Steph | Respectful
Steph won our ‘Respectful’ award and is someone who has demonstrated the respectful value in many ways throughout 2022, nominated 3 times by colleagues for showing care and consideration
OFFERING GREAT BENEFITs
We believe in creating a GREAT place to work and that our team should be fairly rewarded for all the work they do. We are PROUD to employ great people who are passionate about what they do. We offer a wide range of benefits that make our working environment fulfilling, friendly and fun.
-
A great, fun, friendly working environment
Modern team facilities
Up to 33% staff discount in store
A strong set of Values and great Behaviours
-
-
Colleague recognition schemes
Pension contributions
Bonus* (*depending on the level of your role)
Life assurance scheme
-
-
Opportunity to work remotely* (*where your role allows it)
Opportunity for company sponsored development
Alternate working weekends
Calendar of staff events
-
AWARD WINNING RETAILER
Recognised locally, regionally and nationally, we are so proud of our award winning business. We are proud to be an employer who values employee contributions, creates a supportive environment and celebrates individual and team success.
-
2024 Sustainability Award – Garden Centre Catering Awards
The team at YGC is celebrating after winning the Sustainability award in a national competition for the second year running.
We’re delighted to share the news that we won the Sustainability award at the 2024 Garden Centre Catering Awards that were announced earlier this week.
-
2024 SME Business - Yorkshire Sustainability Excellence Awards
We’re proud to share the news that we won the SME Business category at the inaugural Yorkshire Sustainability Excellence Awards, which were presented at a celebration lunch at Swinton Park in Ripon.
The awards were created by the founding group of partners - TheBusinessDesk.com, Clarion, Deloitte, and Swinton Estate - to recognise businesses and organisations that are making permanent and positive changes to their environmental impact.
-
2024 Retail Company of the Year - British HR Awards
The team at YGC is celebrating after winning a national HR award for the second consecutive year.
The HR awards celebrate organisations and individuals that are driven by delivering a world-class people experience, so we’re proud and delighted to have won this award on behalf of our great team.
The British HR Awards is powered by New Possible, a next-generation employee insight platform.
-
2024 Worrall Cup - Garden Centre Association Awards
The Worrall Cup is awarded annually to the garden centre with the best marketing and community initiative and we’re very proud to have won it for the Kindness Pot programme that benefits local causes that are nominated by our team members.
The Kindness Pot was introduced in 2022 and donates time, money or products to meaningful causes that resonate deeply with all of our team. Since launch, over 50 local charities, groups, causes and community initiatives have benefitted from the Pot.
Current vacancies
We care passionately about how we do business and are proud to have a robust ‘Climate and Community’ commitment through our FOUR PILLARS that details our pathway to sustainability, the active role we play in our local community and the caring culture we have created for our people.
Sustainability
Community
Love nature
People & Culture
