IKEA Opens Virtual Store, And It’s Paying People To Work There With IRL Wages
Image via IKEA UK
IKEA has assembled a furnishing megastore quite unlike the ones you’ve visited. The Swedish giant is opening its doors in Roblox with The Co-Worker Game, marking its debut in mainstream gaming. Not only can customers step into a virtual recreation of a big-box location, but some might even score a real job in the process.
Set to launch on June 24, The Co-Worker Game will give players a seat at the table of IKEA’s unique career environment. The immersive experience mirrors the company’s approach to recruitment, where non-linear paths and cross-department moves are common.
Image via IKEA UK
To that end, the company is hiring 10 paid workers to staff the digital location. These employees will help customers, demonstrate their skills, and even enjoy opportunities for promotion, just like in the physical world.
Image via IKEA UK
The recruitment process requires a questionnaire and an updated CV, with an option to submit a video. Candidates must be over 18 and reside in the UK or Ireland, and those selected will undergo digital interviews for this fully remote role.
Applications opened on June 3 and will close on June 16, with virtual interviews for shortlisted candidates being conducted from June 14 to 18.
Image via IKEA UK
Interestingly, chosen applicants will earn the hourly rate of £13.15 (US$16.80) made by real-world staffers in London based on real living wages to match the city’s cost of living.
Beyond the paid positions, The Co-Worker Game invites customers—job-seekers or otherwise—to step foot into the virtual store. Players can visit IKEA’s Swedish Food Market and Bistro to serve virtual meatballs or wander through various showrooms, using iconic IKEA products to organize spaces.
Image via IKEA UK
“We’re excited to be the first brand to launch paid work on Roblox to showcase how we do careers differently, bringing our unique careers philosophy to life,” shares Darren Taylor, country people and culture manager at IKEA UK and Ireland. “At IKEA, there is no set route to career progression. Our co-workers are able to change roles, switch departments, and grow in any direction they choose, both in the game or in the real world. There are many ways to learn and grow at IKEA, and that’s what IKEA on Roblox is all about.”
[via Rolling Stone and TIME, images via IKEA UK]
