Circle K Europe Launches Kindness Week 2025 to Foster Workplace Respect

Circle K, a well-known name in the convenience store industry, is taking its commitment to kindness a step further in 2025. Following the successful execution of Kindness Day over the previous two years, the company will celebrate a full week dedicated to kindness from January 25 to January 31 across all its European stores. This initiative aims to promote mutual respect and to create a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees.

The Kindness Week will feature various local activities designed to engage both staff and customers. One of the highlighted campaigns is 'pay it forward', where customers are encouraged to buy a coffee for the next customer in line. Such acts of kindness will not only be rewarded but recognized within the stores, reinforcing the positive atmosphere that Circle K aims to cultivate. This initiative arrives at a time when addressing workplace harassment has never been more important, as recent surveys indicate that a significant percentage of employees have experienced negative interactions with customers.

Preben Kristiansen, the Human Resources Director for Europe, commented, "While most customers treat our team members with respect, a small minority display negative behavior ranging from verbal harassment to aggression. Kindness Week serves as an annual reminder to our customers of the importance of respect and recognition of those who show kindness. We are amplifying our efforts this year with an entire week of activities. We have received countless stories from our store teams about how this initiative makes them feel heard—a powerful reminder of why we continue this crucial campaign."

Continuing the efforts to address harassment beyond Kindness Day has been a focal point for Circle K over the years. Reports indicate that approximately one-third of surveyed team members in 2024 have faced harassment from customers. In response, Circle K has implemented several measures designed to support its staff. These include training for both team members and leaders on harassment prevention and violence reduction strategies, simplified incident reporting mechanisms supported by confidential helplines, and visible customer awareness signs at their locations reminding patrons to treat employees with respect. Moreover, employees have access to counseling services through Circle K's Employee Assistance Program.

The overarching goal of these initiatives is to foster a community where employees can feel safe and valued in the workplace, while also encouraging customers to engage positively with staff. As Circle K embarks on this week-long journey of kindness, it stands as a testament to their ongoing global commitment to combat workplace harassment and promote positive interactions between customers and employees. As the event approaches, both staff and customers eagerly anticipate the activities designed to create a more compassionate environment for all.

For media inquiries, please contact Lisa Koenig in Global Communications at Circle K. Photos related to the initiative can be found on the company's media platform.

Topics People & Culture)

【About Using Articles】

You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.

【About Links】

Links are free to use.