John Lewis has strongly denied reports of further job cuts, clarifying its position after news in The Times suggested otherwise.
- The Times reported that 7,000 John Lewis employees were under consultation for potential job losses.
- John Lewis responded by stating that these claims are “wholly inaccurate.”
- Previously, John Lewis announced role reductions for 153 positions to enhance customer service efficiency.
- The company aims to reduce redundancies by reallocating staff and not filling vacant roles.
The Times published an article suggesting that John Lewis might be planning to cut jobs, placing around 7,000 shop floor staff under consultation as new management was set to take over. The publication implied that there was a likelihood of further restructuring and job losses within John Lewis’ management teams.
In response, John Lewis issued a firm reply, asserting that it was “wholly inaccurate” to imply any plans for further job reductions beyond the 153 roles previously communicated to its partners. This statement was released on the same morning as the article’s publication, clearly refuting its claims.
Last month, John Lewis had indeed announced changes affecting 153 roles. The intention behind this decision was to make store operations more flexible and to enhance the service quality by ensuring that staff presence was optimally aligned with customer needs.
The company’s statement emphasised their strategy to minimise redundancies primarily by not filling roles as they become vacant and attempting to reposition staff within other areas of the business. This approach reflects John Lewis’ commitment to creating more fulfilling employment opportunities for their partners while maintaining a high standard of customer service.
John Lewis remains committed to its employees and rejects the notion of any imminent widespread job cuts.
