Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase ‘all you need to get a job, is another job’.

It’s true that sometimes, proven experience can seem to be valued over potential, which makes getting that first foot in the door all the more challenging. This Christmas The Body Shop Australia is adopting an open hiring policy which is set to break some of those barriers, particularly for would-be employees who have faced discrimination or extra hurdles in entry to the workplace.

The move follows the success of a similar policy rolled out by the Body Shop in the US, and will also be rolled out across the UK and Canada.

Christmas Casuals for the brand – which has championed inclusion in its and marketing efforts – will be recruited via a simple two-step process which levels the playing field, with prior experience and background irrelevant to the hiring process. Instead, applicants will need to satisfy just three simple criteria: to be able to lift up to 11kg, work an 8 hour shift, and be legally authorised to work in Australia. They’ll also be quizzed about their willingness to work with customers, but this won’t be a barrier to entry, with non-client-facing roles available.

Applicants will be vetted on a first come, first served basis, with no resume, formal interview, or referees required.

Inclusion and belonging lead at The Body Shop Australia, Michelle Nolan, says “we believe employment is one of the biggest and greatest equalisers. Our goal is to create a fairer and more beautiful world, and we believe this fits with that. We want to be representative of the world we live in.”

One staff member said “very few places are willing to hire someone who is fat, trans and disabled. The Body Shop saw my potential and allowed me to flourish.” And the benefits go both ways, with a The Body Shop store manager noting a highlight being “hiring someone who was visually impaired and getting to learn from them."

Career development expert Sue Ellson told radio station 3AW that she was “really impressed” by the approach. “What that does for the individual, who has had a barrier to employment, is it gives them an opportunity to gain that valuable work experience, to have a big name behind them, something that looks good on their resume for the next employer,” she told Tony Jones.

Ms Ellson also predicted a major global wave of resignations to hit Australia next March, and said that The Body Shop’s open hiring policy may make it a more appealing workplace to employees.

But for the almost 400 seasonal casuals set to benefit from the policy this December, it might just mean a merrier Christmas – and hopefully, a happier new year.