Circle K Launches Kindness Week 2025
Circle K is building on its successful Kindness Day initiatives from the past two years by unveiling a full week dedicated to kindness across its European stores. This event, scheduled from January 25 to 31, 2025, aims to cultivate a working environment that places a high value on mutual respect and safety. During this specially curated week, various local activities will reinforce these values, showcasing an innovative twist on customer interactions.
One standout initiative involves the “pay it forward” model, where customers are encouraged to buy a coffee for the next person in line. This is not just a gesture of kindness but also a way to recognize and reward kind customers with prizes and appreciation displayed in stores. Preben Kristiansen, Circle K's Chief Human Resources Officer in Europe, emphasizes the importance of such initiatives, noting that while most customers treat staff with respect, a minority engage in harmful behaviors.
Kristiansen stated, “The Kindness Week is our annual reminder to customers about the importance of respect, while also acknowledging those who display kindness. Over the past three years, we’ve heard countless stories from our in-store teams about how this initiative makes them feel heard and valued.”
This event emerges amid ongoing concerns regarding harassment within the workplace, particularly in customer-facing roles, where a significant proportion of Circle K’s staff—about a third—reported experiences of harassment from customers in 2024. Circle K is addressing this issue comprehensively, having established multiple initiatives over the past three years to ensure that all team members feel safe and supported in their workplace.
Some of the key initiatives include:
- - Training for Teams: Providing training for store teams and managers on harassment prevention and de-escalation techniques.
- - Incident Reporting Process: Streamlining the reporting process for incidents, supported by confidential helplines for employees.
- - Customer Awareness: Raising awareness among customers with prominent posters in stores promoting respect for staff.
- - Employee Support: Offering all employees access to counseling services through Circle K’s Employee Assistance Program.
These efforts align with Circle K's broader commitment to combat workplace harassment and foster positive interactions with customers. In what has become an essential event in the company’s calendar, Kindness Week serves as a vital reminder of the importance of building respectful and safe work environments—celebrating the acts of kindness that not only uplift the workplace but also enhance customer experiences.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Koenig
Global Communications
Phone: 450-662-6632, ext. 6611
Email: [email protected]