John Lewis looks to lure staff with bacon and eggs

ENGLISH breakfasts, Sunday roasts and other free meals are being been offered to potential recruits by the John Lewis Partnership in a bid to sign up 7,000 Christmas workers.

Ahead of publishing its half-year results figures today, it said that it would take on 2,000 more temporary staff than last year for a bumper festive season. And free food is a big incentive. Fry-ups, cottage pie, macaroni cheese and even roasts on Sundays are on the menu, as well as coffees, teas and juices.

The company, which owns Waitrose as well as John Lewis, is preparing for an especially busy Christmas, given it could be the first for two years with no Covid19 restrictions. Roles on offer include shop assistants, night shift workers, warehouse staff and delivery drivers.

Nikki Humphrey, the people director at the John Lewis Partnership, said: ‘We’re throwing everything we can into helping them celebrate.

‘Our festive team will have a crucial role to play.

‘We’re looking for people who can deliver extraordinary service to help customers get what they need to celebrate.’

Official jobs data published on Tuesday showed businesses reporting over a million vacancies in the three months to August, the highest since these records began in 2001.

The John Lewis Partnership said its seasonal roles would be available at its 331 Waitrose shops, as well as the 34 John Lewis stores.

Another 550 people will be taken on as drivers and warehouse staff at the chain’s distribution and delivery centres.

Jobs will be advertised in phases on websites jlpjobs and Indeed, plus Google from September 16. A variety of working hours will be available.