Unilever has proven that during these austere times the word ‘cuts’ does not always have negative connotations.

The consumer goods supplier has opened a hairdressing salon at its UK and Ireland head office in Leatherhead, Surrey. The salon, stocked with Unilever products, is staffed by two qualified hair stylists, offering employees hair cuts and treatments at discounted prices.

Iain Potter, vice president of marketing, home and personal care at Unilever UK and Ireland, said: “It is not just about our brands; it is about promoting our positive attitude to agile working.

“The salon is open from 11am until 7pm, most of the working day, and that is because we actively promote a healthy attitude to work.

“We want to make sure that the commitments we have as individuals or parents, such as the school run or a preference to exercise in the middle of the afternoon, or even a hair cut, can be accommodated around work.

“It is about giving employees the flexibility and trust to make work and life work together.”

In these tough economic times regular hair styling for employees could be an ideal way of stimulating new growth and highlighting business assets.

For more articles on employee motivation