John Lewis urges staff to spend more time in the office
John Lewis urges staff to spend more time in the office
John Lewis signals a renewed push for more in-person work as part of its turnaround, stressing better collaboration and outcomes while preserving a hybrid model.
John Lewis has signaled a renewed push for more in-office presence among its staff as part of its broader turnaround plans. The retailer is asking employees to spend more time in offices and on the shop floor, with the company saying that more in-person work can drive better collaboration, faster decision-making, and stronger customer service.
The move has been described as a shift in work culture, but the group stresses that the policy is not a departure from hybrid working. Instead, it reinforces a framework where certain roles and days in the office are encouraged while remote options remain available for roles that can be performed remotely.
The push comes as John Lewis seeks to shore up performance during a challenging period for non-food retailers and to support its turnaround strategy. The policy is intended to help teams work more closely together, share knowledge, and align on customer experience improvements across stores and online channels.
Staff reactions are likely to be mixed. Some employees welcome clearer expectations and opportunities for teamwork, while others worry about commute costs, fatigue, and the potential impact on work-life balance.
With a hybrid approach still in place, John Lewis says it will monitor outcomes and adjust as needed, underscoring that the aim is better outcomes for both employees and customers.
