John Lewis and Waitrose today announced they will give free meals to all staff working this winter to help them though the cost-of-living crisis.
The John Lewis Partnership, which runs the department store and supermarket chains, also launched a huge recruitment drive for more than 10,000 temporary Christmas staff.
From October 3 to January 6 free meals including English breakfasts and Sunday roasts, will be offered to all employees across both shops in the distribution network.
The recruitment drive kicks off soon with job opportunities going live throughout September and October.
John Lewis and Waitrose staff will get free meals this winter to help them though the cost of living crisis
From October 3 to January 6 free meals including English breakfasts and Sunday roasts, will be offered to all employees across John Lewis (left), Waitrose (right) and in the distribution network
There are 4,000 seasonal roles being advertised across 331 Waitrose shops, including supermarket assistants, night shift workers and customer delivery drivers.
A total of 2,000 temporary roles in 34 John Lewis stores are also opening, including sales and merchandising positions.
Additionally, they are recruiting 4,000 temporary roles across the distribution network, including warehouse workers and drivers to support the expected increase in online orders.
A number of permanent roles are also being advertised.
The John Lewis Partnership, which runs the department store and supermarket chains, also started a huge recruitment drive for more than 10,000 temporary Christmas staff across both stores and in their distribution network through agencies
Some staff working on Sundays will be given the option of a free roast dinner
John Lewis and Waitrose will offer all staff free meals from October 3 to January 6 this year.
Staff in a Waitrose, John Lewis or distribution centre with a kitchen and cook will have options including:
Breakfast: A selection of fruit, cereal or an English breakfast.
Lunch and dinner: Soup options, salads, vegan and vegetarian dishes, fish dishes, curries, pasta dishes as well as roast dinners on Sundays.
Staff in locations with no kitchen can choose from a ‘vending machines’ containing ready-meals, salads and sandwiches.
Long distance drivers have the option to pre-order a packed lunch each day.
The offer of free food will apply to all partners and those working for John Lewis Partnership through agencies, including the 10,000 temporary staff this Christmas on their breaks during a shift.
Staff working in shops and distribution centres with a kitchen and a branch cook the options will include English breakfast, vegetarian dishes, pasta, and Sunday roast, a John Lewis Partnership spokesperson said.
All food will be made using Waitrose ingredients where possible and free tea, coffee and fruit is available throughout the day.
All Partners are welcome to access any Partner dining rooms that are convenient for them on a working day during their shift to access free food.
However, as they are catering for thousands of employees with different needs and facilities the offerings will vary depending on location.
Staff working in locations with no kitchen will be given a choice of food from ‘vending machines’ containing microwavable ready meals and posh Waitrose lunch foods like salads and sandwiches.
Long distance lorry drivers who won’t be able to stop in a staff room will be able to order a packed lunch every day to take on the road.
Andrew Murphy, Chief Operations Officer at the John Lewis Partnership, said: ‘We pride ourselves on creating a happy workplace because it’s our Partners who make the difference and it’s thanks to them that John Lewis and Waitrose are two of the UK’s best-loved brands.
‘We are looking forward to welcoming people across the country to grow our team and ensure we deliver a great Christmas for our customers.’
You can apply for the seasonal roles at John Lewis and Waitrose here and click here for information on agency roles in the distribution network.