Marks and Spencers has launched a flexible work offering called Worklife for retail managers. It aims to give employees a better work/life balance. Managers can spread their hours over five days, a four-day compressed workweek, or a nine-day compressed fortnight. A successful trial across 100 stores had 75 percent of managers noting a positive impact on their family life and 73 percent on time for themselves.
“We want M&S to be a great place to work and shop – that means having engaged colleagues with a good work-life balance. Retail is a fast-paced industry but that shouldn’t mean missing out on the moments that matter. Whether caring commitments, the chance to get involved in your local community or to prioritise your own mental and physical wellbeing,” said Sarah Findlater, Group HR Director at M&S.
"We’ve listened to colleagues and are determined to create a cultural shift to flexible working across our stores. Those retail managers taking part in our compressed hours trial agree it’s been a gamechanger by giving them more choice and autonomy. We’re also always keen to put colleague ideas into action like our new Job Share Finder and are determined to keep exploring ideas that transform the way we work at M&S.”
“I’ve worked at M&S for 39 years but wasn’t ready to give up work. Job sharing allows me to spend more time with my parents, and not feel guilty when my grandchildren ask me to pick them up from school – now I get more family time while still getting to take advantage of the opportunity to be store manager,” said Jo Middleton, store manager at M&S Castlepoint.
