John Lewis to offer free staff meals as it recruits 10,000 seasonal workers

The John Lewis Partnership has revealed its plans to recruit more than 10,000 temporary roles across the country this Christmas, as well as plans to offer free food to all partners and temporary workers from 3 October to 6 January to help with the cost of living. 

It is reported that the temporary roles are to help the company to “meet the increased demand over the busy festive period and to help customers get what they need to celebrate”. 

The 10,000 jobs roles will be filled in Waitrose and John Lewis shops, as well as in the distribution network. John Lewis will reportedly recruit 4,000 seasonal roles across 331 Waitrose shops as supermarket assistants, night shift workers and customer delivery drivers. 

An additional 2,000 temporary roles will be available for 34 John Lewis stores, including sales and merchandising positions. 

The group is also recruiting 4,000 roles in its supply chain through the recruitment agencies it works with, including warehouse workers and drivers to “support the expected increase in Waitrose.com and John Lewis.com orders”. 

These job positions are said to go live throughout September and October, while a number of permanent roles throughout the Partnership will also be advertised also. 

Successful candidates will reportedly receive a competitive salary, training and potential development opportunities, as well as flexible and blended working in a company that “seeks to be the most inclusive” in the UK. 

Andrew Murphy, CEO of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We pride ourselves on creating a happy workplace because it’s our partners who make the difference and it’s thanks to them that John Lewis and Waitrose are two of the UK’s best-loved brands.  

“We are looking forward to welcoming people across the country to grow our team and ensure we deliver a great Christmas for our customers.”