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SKILLS AND TRAINING

We want our Partners to share their passion, confidence and knowledge, and believe that a skilled and motivated workforce will help to drive business success, so we take a holistic approach to the needs of each individual. This includes access to a range of in-house training programmes and other learning and development opportunities, many of which lead to transferable and accredited qualifications.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS

Recognising the growing diversity of Partners, we are committed to developing a total reward package that offers competitive pay and distinct market-leading benefits, as well as a share of our profits, in the form of an annual bonus (15% of salary in 2009/10).

The wide range of benefits we offer is designed to help Partners to balance their work and home lives, and stay committed to a long-term career with us. These include a non-contributory, final salary pension scheme, discounts on most purchases from John Lewis and Waitrose, and extended paid leave after 25 years’ service. We provide a number of subsidised facilities and discounted offers, financial support and our Partners run 25 clubs and societies. When Partners retire, specific retirement welfare and social benefits are also available.

Partners in Sport

Partners in Sport (PinS), which will run until the London 2012 Games, consists of three main themes:

• Discover Sport enables branches to bid for funds so that Partners can engage in sport, activity or review their lifestyle through fitness and dietary advice. Over the last 12 months, this scheme has supported over 5,000 Partners, with activities ranging from the Three Peaks Challenge to setting up yoga classes.
• Coaching in Sport offers Partners the opportunity to train as sports coaches. Currently, 160 Partners have been involved, including two Partners who delivered football coaching at Waitrose Foundation farms in South Africa (see page 18).
• Succeed in Sport is aimed at helping Partners and their close relatives who compete at a high level to fulfil their London 2012 aspirations. This scheme was a key part of John Lewis securing its commercial sponsorship agreement with London 2012. We currently have seven individuals aiming to be selected to represent the UK in 2012.

Partner support

In the discussions we had with Partners in developing our new Partner Strategy (see page 11), three key themes emerged:

• Partners were increasingly worried about the state’s ability to provide health and wellbeing support
• Partners appreciated the benefits they receive but felt simpler messages would help them to make the most of them
• Partners expressed concern that the provision of facilities and amenities differed across the Partnership.

We have therefore undertaken a Partner Support review, to assess the extent and costs of these aspects of our current offer, how they compare to others in the market and how we can maximise the Partner experience. By the end of 2010, we should be in a position to make initial internal recommendations.


12,000

John Lewis Partners have accessed career development resources, courses and materials through the Horizons programme launched in 2007


(Photo of Simon Wardell)

Simon Wardel

Development Manager, Partners in Sport

"Over the last 12 months, I have been delighted with the support we have been able to provide for these London 2012 hopefuls. As we begin the two-year countdown to London 2012, we are encouraging those Partners and close family members who may be looking to compete in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to apply for support from our Succeed in Sport scheme."


MORE INFORMATION

In this report:

Our stakeholder engagement
Waitrose Foundation

On www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk:

Safety and health
Working for us