All employees at John Lewis and Waitrose will get free lunches this winter as a way of helping them cope with the rising cost of living.
The John Lewis Partnership, which owns the grocery and department store businesses, has started a massive hiring drive for more than 10,000 seasonal workers.
Employers have been under pressure to boost pay to attract and keep personnel as spiralling inflation and the cost-of-living crises continue to bite, and Britain’s most recent jobless figure of 3.8 percent is at a half-century low.
From October 3 to January 6 across both stores in the distribution network, all John Lewis staff will be provided with free meals, including English breakfasts and Sunday roasts.
Throughout September and October, job openings will become available.
4,000 seasonal positions, including grocery assistants, night shift employees, and customer delivery drivers, are being posted across more than 300 Waitrose stores.
Additionally, over 30 John Lewis shops are offering up 2,000 temporary jobs, including ones in sales and merchandising.
To meet the anticipated rise in online purchases, they are also hiring 4,000 temporary positions throughout the distribution network, including drivers and warehouse staff.
Additionally, some permanent positions are posted.
What free meals will employees of Waitrose and John Lewis get this winter?
All employees at John Lewis and Waitrose will get complimentary lunches from October 3 through January 6 of this year.
There are many possibilities available to staff in a Waitrose, John Lewis, or distribution facility with a kitchen and chef, including:
Breakfast options include cereal, fruit, or an English breakfast.
Lunch and dinner selections include a variety of soups, salads, vegan and vegetarian entrees, pasta dishes, seafood dishes, curries, and Sunday roast dinners.
Employees working in places without kitchens may choose from “vending machines” that provide ready-to-eat meals, salads, and sandwiches.
The option to purchase a packed lunch each day in advance is available to long-distance truckers.
The free food offer will be extended to all partners and employees of the John Lewis Partnership who are employed by third parties, including the 10,000 temporary workers employed this Christmas.
English breakfast, vegetarian meals, spaghetti, and Sunday roast will all be available to employees working at stores and distribution centres with a kitchen and a branch chef, according to a John Lewis Partnership spokeswoman.
Free tea, coffee, and fruit are provided all day long, and if feasible, Waitrose items will be used in the preparation of all meals.
Throughout the working day, all employees have access to eating areas where they may get free meals.
The offers will vary based on region since they are providing for thousands of workers who have varied wants and facilities.
There will be “vending machines” with microwaveable ready meals and Waitrose lunch items like salads and sandwiches for employees working in places without kitchens.
Long-distance truck drivers will be able to order a packed lunch every day to eat on the road as they won’t be allowed to stop at a staff room.
“We pride ourselves on creating a joyful workplace because it’s our partners who make the difference and it’s because of them that John Lewis and Waitrose are two of the UK’s most well-loved brands,” said Andrew Murphy, Chief Operations Officer at the John Lewis Partnership.
“We are excited to welcome folks from all across the nation to increase our team and make sure we provide a fantastic Christmas for our clients,” the company said.
You may apply for seasonal jobs at John Lewis and Waitrose here, and you can learn more about agency positions in the distribution network by clicking here.