Opportunities for all

The John Lewis Partnership aims to create and nurture a culture that values the differences of all those who engage with us, whether as Partners, customers or suppliers, or as part of the wider community. Embracing diversity helps us to attract, retain and develop Partners while developing a creative and innovative culture that appeals to a wide range of customers.
Barbara Sydney, Assistant Section Manager Home Stock Control, Waitrose Canary Wharf
Barbara Sydney, Waitrose Canary Wharf

Diversity in the Partnership is based on three values:

  • Partners are treated as individuals and with respect, honesty and fairness
  • Our employment policies are fair and provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, social background, religion, disability or sexuality
  • The Partnership respects and reflects the communities we are part of.

Tracey Killen, Director of Personnel believes, 'Our aim is to be a business where our leaders feel confident with, and have a full understanding of the diversity in their teams, so that they can ensure Partners have a consistent, equitable, and motivating experience of the Partnership. This goes to the heart of our ultimate purpose and drives business advantage.'

Championing diversity

Following feedback from the 2010 Partner Survey, we set three key objectives to focus on, and established a diversity working group to deliver these:

  • improving the proportion of ethnic minorities in our management teams
  • providing better support to our managers to manage their increasingly diverse teams
  • understanding, valuing and supporting disability in the workplace.

View Partner Ethnicity data.

Going beyond the Partnership

Schools and higher education
Our commitment to diversity extends beyond our business to members of the community, helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain skills, qualifications and experience. We also work with schools and higher education institutes to help students develop workplace skills. For example, the Partnership offers a BTEC placement programme to students to take up alongside their college and university courses, giving them opportunities to build their confidence and develop the key skills they need for the workplace. John Lewis Newcastle's Vocational Placement programme was awarded a Big Tick in the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence in 2008.

Getting people back into work
We also partner with Government agencies and non-profit organisations such as JobCentre Plus and Remploy, which provide opportunities to those with the greatest barriers to employment. In 2010, John Lewis Solihull took on a Partner whose previous career in the travel industry had come to an end when he developed epilepsy. The Partner started in a Christmas temp role and was taken on full-time six months later. Also in 2010, at John Lewis Oxford Street a two-week unpaid work placement organised by charity Mencap lead to a permanent role for a Partner with learning difficulties.

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Related

  • Our principles
    The John Lewis Partnership's seven principles define how we run our business.

  • CSR reports
    Our CSR performance is publicly reported. Read our current and past reports.

  • Our Partners
    Partners from around the business speak passionately about why they work for the Partnership.

  • Working for us
    In the Partnership, employees are Partners, which means we all own the business and share in its success.