Flexible Working
This coverage examines flexible working practices and policies within the UK retail sector, focusing on their impact on operations, workforce management, and employee engagement. Reporting highlights employer initiatives, regulatory changes, productivity considerations, and challenges in implementing flexibility at scale. Retail executives, HR managers, and operations leaders can use these insights to shape strategies that balance business needs with workforce expectations.
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Jun- 2025 -23 JuneSupermarkets
Morrisons orders head office staff to return to full-time work
Morrisons has ordered staff at its head office in Bradford to return to a full five days a week in the office, reversing its flexible working policy, according to the Telegraph. Previously, the supermarket allowed its head office staff to work a 37.5 hour four-and-a-half day week flexibly, but this…
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18 JuneDepartment Stores
John Lewis commercial staff return to office three days a week
John Lewis has confirmed that some parts of its commercial team have been asked to work either in the office, in stores or with brands and suppliers three days a week. According to John Lewis, flexible working “very much remains in place”, with a mix of office working, being close…
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May- 2025 -13 MayFeatures
What does the new Employment Rights Bill mean for retailers?
The Employment Rights Bill, slated for major implementation in autumn 2026, is being hailed by the government as a bold step forward for workers’ rights. But for the retail sector – a cornerstone of the UK economy that employs over three million people – the swift nature of the proposed…
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Dec- 2024 -4 DecemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-4/12/24
Evri has partnered with the GMB Union to secure an industry-first pay deal that guarantees self-employed couriers insurance-backed paid sick leave. Supported by over 80% of voters, the agreement also includes festive support payments of up to £950 and subsidized insurance for death, disability, accidents, and sickness. This builds on…
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Oct- 2024 -3 OctoberDepartment Stores
M&S launches recruitment drive to fill 11,000 Christmas roles
Marks and Spencer has announced it will be recruiting over 11,000 new customer assistants to support in stores across the UK over the festive period. The retailer is recruiting even more colleagues than last year with over 1000 more vacancies available, reflecting the additional investment M&S is making in colleague…
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Sep- 2024 -16 SeptemberNews
Yodel to hire 3,000 workers ahead of festive season
Yodel is set to hire more than 3,000 couriers and warehouse staff as it prepares for the festive season, Sky News has reported. The parcel carrier was on the brink of collapse earlier this year but is now getting ready to recruit more staff before the peak shopping period starts. …
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Jul- 2024 -26 JulyHealth & Beauty
THG to axe 171 roles as staff ordered to return to office full-time
THG is reportedly set to axe 171 jobs across the business whilst “insisting” that staff return to the office five days a week, The Financial Times has reported. The company is said to have told employees this week that it expected to make a total of 171 redundancies across six divisions,…
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8 JulyNews
Today’s news in brief-8/7/24
James Timpson OBE, CEO of the Timpson shoe repair chain, has been appointed as the new Minister for Prisons, Parole, and Probation following Labour’s landslide victory in the general election. Timpson, who has been involved in the family business since his school days, has grown the company from 320 to…
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8 JulySupermarkets
Asda scraps four-day work week trial
Asda has reportedly scrapped its trial of a four day work week after staff were left exhausted, according to reports from The Telegraph. Under the trial, employees in 20 of its stores worked a usual 44 hour work week in four days rather than five. However, many staff complained that…
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Mar- 2024 -18 MarchNews
Central Co-op raises hourly pay amid further benefits for employees
Central Co-op has announced significant investments in its employees by raising minimum pay to £12 an hour, alongside paid breaks and a suite of additional benefits aimed at enhancing workers well-being and flexibility. The pay increase, effective from 1 April, equates to an additional £2,535 per annum for a full-time…
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