Around 65% of Young Guns hires come through employee referrals. That’s not the result of a recruitment campaign—it’s a reflection of a workplace people are happy to recommend to their mates.

Job boards and recruiters have their place, but for Young Guns, the most reliable source of great people has always been much closer to home. When someone enjoys working with their team and believes in what they’re doing, they’re far more likely to encourage others to join them.

People like working with their mates

There’s a straightforward reason employee referral rates run this high. People genuinely enjoy working alongside people they already know and trust and when someone’s proud enough of where they work to bring a mate along, that’s a strong signal about the environment they’re stepping into.

It’s also a much stronger foundation than a resume ever could be since a referral usually comes with an honest picture of what the job and the team are actually like.

The impact on the warehouse floor

For Young Guns’ customers, this translates directly into performance. More than half the team arrives on day one already culture-aligned, with a solid understanding of what’s expected and how the team operates. That means less onboarding friction and people ready to contribute on the DC floor from the start, rather than needing weeks to find their feet.

A referral-heavy workforce doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects an environment people are willing to vouch for with their own name and reputation. For an industry that often struggles with high turnover and short tenure, that kind of trust is a genuine point of difference, not just a recruitment shortcut.

Curious to how a referral-driven culture could work for you? Get in touch!