John Lewis Partnership

The John Lewis Partnership is a visionary and successful way of doing business, boldly putting the happiness of Partners at the centre of everything it does. It’s the embodiment of an ideal, the outcome of nearly a century of endeavour to create a different sort of company, owned by Partners dedicated to serving customers with flair and fairness.

John Lewis Partnership – Our Purpose

The Partnership is on a journey, an ongoing experiment to find happier, more trusted ways of doing business and all of our Partners have a part to play. The Partnership is owned entirely in trust by our Partners meaning we’re more than employees, we share knowledge, profit and power.

By joining the Partnership you’ll be joining a different kind of business. One that seeks to make a difference, not just to its Partners, but to the lives of everyone.

It’s this shared purpose that drives us and we believe that by working together, in Partnership, we can help create a place with happier people, for a happier business and a happier world.

Company Overview

We’re the UK’s largest employee-owned business and home to our two cherished retail brands – John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners. Everything we do is powered by our unique purpose, which puts the happiness of Partners at our core through worthwhile and satisfying employment. Every one of us is committed to inspiring and delighting our customers through quality products, great quality food and outstanding service because for us, it’s personal.

Find out more: About the John Lewis Partnership.

John Lewis dads with their babies

Putting you first

Employing working dads who fully support our Partnership’s Values, we base our relationships on mutual respect and courtesy, and encourage equality across the business. We’ll recognise your contribution and reward it fairly, whatever your working hours, location or job level.

We understand that ambitions change, it’s why we let you drive your own career progress. The development tools and support are here when you need them.

Regarding flexibility, there are plenty of Partners who have joined us in one role, then used our development tools to change direction, ascend the career ladder, take a break and return to a more flexible role that lets them balance their lifestyle. Increasing your hours or switching career paths can then be done at a pace that feels right for you.

Benefits

We believe in rewarding our Partners for their time and energy. After all, they’re the ones that make the John Lewis Partnership special.

When you join the Partnership, you’ll be given access to our very own internal benefits website, PartnerChoice. You’ll be entitled to benefits like; childcare vouchers, life assurance, paid holidays, pension and discounts on shopping at John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners. And, on top of this you’ll also be able to enjoy our unique benefits that make us really stand out from the crowd:

Partnership Hotels – We own exclusive hotels, lodges and caravans based right across the UK. All are set in the most beautiful places and all are subsidised. Making them amazing value. Gorge walking, archery, whitewater rafting, seaside fun in your own castle, relaxed country club breaks, self-catering, exploring national parks or just doing whatever takes your fancy, there’s something for you and for loved ones.

Equal Parenthood Leave – Our equal parenthood leave gives all new parents 26 weeks paid leave (14 weeks at full contractual pay and 12 weeks at 50% contractual pay). It’s available for all Partners who’ve worked for the Partnership for one year at the qualifying week or you’re notified of being matched with a child, regardless of how you become a parent. It tops up any statutory maternity leave and pay, statutory paternity pay and leave or statutory adoption leave and pay.

Leisure events – We subsidise special events that bring Partners together. These include:

  • Family Fun Days
  • Football Tournaments
  • Theme Park Take-Over days
  • Music Festivals and Gig tickets
  • Major Sporting Events

So whether you want to thrill the family at Thorpe Park, enjoy a VIP weekend in a 4 star hotel or join in the fun at a country fair, there’s something for you.

John Lewis dad with his daughter in a gardenCorporate Membership – We’re corporate members of organisations such as The National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage and the Historic Royal Palaces, so you and your family can enjoy discounted or even free entry.

Leisure learning – Thinking of signing up for some aerobics sessions, spending a term brushing up on your Spanish or taking windsurfing lessons in Greece? You can claim half the cost of your chosen leisure course, up to £250 a year.

Discover more of our benefits: Partner Benefits | John Lewis Partnership Careers.

Partnership Networks

We positively celebrate diversity & inclusion in the John Lewis Partnership. Truly embracing individuals contributions, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, social background, religion or belief. Having a diverse and inclusive business is vital for our future success and that’s why it is at the heart of our ultimate purpose; the happiness of all our Partners.

To ensure this all happens, we’ve set up eight networks to represent the diversity and inclusion of our Partners. Their aim is to provide support among their members and give everyone the opportunity to connect with people who are similar or different to them. Also – and just as importantly – the Partnership networks influence the business’ overall Diversity and Inclusion strategy.

Our 8 Networks are:John Lewis dad with daughter in a kitchen
● THE WORKING PARENTS NETWORK
● GENDER EQUALITY NETWORK
● UNITY (The Black, Asian & Ethnic Minority Network for the Partnership)
● PRIDE IN THE PARTNERSHIP (The LGBT + Network of the John Lewis Partnership)
● ABILITY (A network for Partners with any mental, physical or learning disability)
● FAITH, RELIGION & BELIEF
● LINKAGES (our intergenerational or age network)
● Care Experience Network (supporting people from care)

Find out more about our Networks: Diversity and Inclusion.

John Lewis dad throwing laughing daughter into the air in a garden

Case Studies

Mark Penny

Mark Penny Case Study for Workingdads

MARK PENNY
Partner & Solutions Designer, Partner Lifecycle

Mark Penny is a father of two and a Personnel Solutions Designer at the John Lewis Partnership. He works full time Monday to Friday, with a flexible working arrangement.

I started working at John Lewis Reading in 2007 as a Selling Assistant and then a Section Manager. I worked at Reading for four years before moving to Personnel at our Bracknell head offices. I’ve had several different roles within Personnel since then. The Partnership has been great at supporting my career development.

A lot has changed outside of work since in joined Personnel too. I met my now wife in 2012, we got married in February 2015 and our first son was born in the September of that year. Then in July 2017 our youngest son was born. When my eldest son started preschool, my wife’s business was also gaining momentum. So I decided to submit a flexible working request to my manager. I had 3 things that I wanted to achieve:

1. Maintain my full time hours
2. Finish work at a time so my wife could go to work in the evenings, and I could do bed time stories with my boys
3. Be able to do at least one drop off or pick up from preschool a week

By reducing my break times and starting at 8:00am each day I was able to achieve all 3. I now finish work at 4:30pm Monday-Thursday & 2:00pm on Fridays.

I’m really lucky that the Partnership and my line manager are so accommodating. This rota works for me and even when things get busy I still manage to leave on time. I’m so grateful for this arrangement I have, that at busy times I log on from home once the boys are asleep to make sure that deadlines are never missed.

That’s the key to flexible working, both you and your employer need to be flexible for them to benefit all.

David Vieites

david case study john lewis

DAVID VIEITES
Personnel Analyst

David Vieites is a father of one and a Personnel Analyst at the John Lewis Partnership. He works flexibly doing part-time, condensed hours, Monday to Thursday, with a flexible working arrangement.

I started my role in Waitrose e-Commerce in 2010 and our son was born in April 2016. When my wife returned to work, our son attended nursery for full 4 days. Although it worked OK, the balance wasn’t quite right with our son at nursery 4 full days he was getting overtired, so my wife and I discussed it at length and I decided to submit a flexible working request.

I was really pleased when it was agreed and I changed to work 4 slightly longer days with Friday’s off. I could have condensed my full time hours into 4 days however I decided to drop 3 hours per week to make it more achievable. I have since moved to a different role at JLP and my new line manager honoured my flexible working arrangement, really demonstrating our business supports flexible working where possible. The arrangement works really well with my job and I love having Friday’s off to be with our son.

I feel really fortunate to work for a company that supports working parents and really tries to make it as easy as possible for you to have a serious career without compromising on childcare. Of course, at busy times I do extra work in the evenings etc but overall the arrangement works really well for both the Partnership and me.

 

Matthew Martin

John lewis matthew case study

MATTHEW MARTIN
Fitted Kitchens Cardiff

Matthew Martin is a Fitted Kitchens Adviser in John Lewis Cardiff. He works Wednesday-Friday 9:30am – 8:10pm and every other weekend with a flexible working request.

I have been working for the Partnership for ten years. In 2016 the most terrifyingly, scary, confusing but also totally amazing thing happened, I became a father! My little girl (Thea) was born 14 April 2016 and as with most parents I had a little warning.

After taking advantage of SPA (Shared Parental Leave), I was able to come back to work with my flexible working request in full force.

My flexible working rota allows me to spend quality time with my daughter on Monday/Tuesday while also partially mitigating the cost of nursery fees. Starting at 9:30am allows me to drop Thea in nursery in the morning before cycling onward to work. Having every other weekend off affords us greater opportunity for family time, whether it is visiting extended family or just going scooting down the canal.

I am very lucky that both John Lewis and my managers have been so accommodating as this allows me a much better quality of life while allowing me to still work full time hours.

***Update Baby number two has arrived, a little boy named Callan!***

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