'Better outcomes' | John Lewis urges staff back to office as hybrid working expectations tighten

Retailer John Lewis Partnership has told employees they are expected to be working “more in person than not”, either in the office or out with suppliers and customers, as it responds to wider shifts across the retail sector.

According to The Telegraph, the guidance was set out in a memo to head office staff and reflects a push to increase time spent collaborating face to face.

In the memo, the business said: “Many organisations have noticed improvements in collaboration and culture alongside improved business performance as a result of a hybrid model – one that allows for more time in person while still enjoying the benefits of working time at home too.”

Central office teams, including HR and finance, were told they should be “spending more of [their] working week collaborating face to face with [their] team and others [they] work alongside”.