Department store giant John Lewis has told staff to come into the office more regularly as it looks to achieve “better outcomes” and accelerate its turnaround.
In a memo to head office staff, the retailer said it expects colleagues to work “more in-person than not”, in an attempt to catch up to competitors that have introduced more office working.
In the memo, John Lewis said: “Many organisations have noticed improvements in collaboration and culture alongside improved business performance as a result of a hybrid model – one that allows for more time in-person while still enjoying the benefits of working time at home, too.”
It also said central office teams such as HR and finance should spend more time “collaborating face-to-face with [their] team and others [they] work alongside”, The Telegraph first reported.
The retailer had taken a more flexible approach to office working, but it did tell staff there is no change in policy as it is still committed to hybrid working.
After a £21m loss last year, John Lewis is hoping the new strategy will achieve “better outcomes” after retailers like Boots and Morrisons brought their staff back to the office full-time in recent years.
The retailer is also planning to create more space in existing offices to offer a more attractive environment and encourage staff to come in more regularly.
A John Lewis spokesman said: “While some in our industry are returning to the office full-time, our policy hasn’t changed, and we are committed to the flexibility that comes with a hybrid approach.
“To drive collaboration, faster decision making and creativity, our goal is for central teams to be in the office, with suppliers and visiting shops more than they are at home, so we are working with them to make this happen.”
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