John Lewis staff have called for the return of the group’s employee bonus after missing out for three years.
Almost 4,000 John Lewis and Waitrose staff, former partners and shoppers have shared an open letter and supported a petition on the Organise platform.
‘We’re working harder than ever, with fewer staff and growing workloads, but getting less recognition,’ says the letter.
‘The bonus meant something more than just money. It was a sign that the company saw and appreciated us,’ The Financial Times reported.
‘It is disheartening to see the bonus [paused] when so many partners . . . have worked extremely hard and remained committed during challenging times,’ an employee said on Organise.
In March the John Lewis Partnership said the employee bonus would not be reintroduced despite profits reaching £126m as its turnaround plan began to deliver results. Instead, it invested £114m in the base pay of staff.
Chair Jason Tarry, Hohn Lewis Partnership chair has said he is ‘determined to pay a bonus as soon as we can,’ without setting a public target.
