Benefits of being a Partner

We offer competitive pay for all roles in the Partnership.

Determined by our overall performance, the John Lewis Partnership bonus is our annual share-out of profit, and all Partners receive it as a percentage of their salary subject to sufficient business performance and results.

When you’ve been with us for three months, you’ll get Partnership discount in store and online. That’s 25% off in John Lewis & Partners (12% off electrical products, some exclusions apply) and 20% in Waitrose & Partners (some exclusions apply) You’ll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount.

The Partnership has a defined contribution pension scheme where your contributions, up to an agreed level, will be matched by the Partnership.

Our life assurance scheme provides a lump sum benefit, which may be paid to a chosen benefactor in the event of your death.

Depending on your Partnership job level, you’ll get between 22 and 30 days holiday a year, plus bank holiday entitlement and an extra time off if you are employed on Christmas day. 

All holiday entitlement is pro-rated depending on when you join and how many days you work per week.

Across our shops, head offices and distribution sites, we offer free hot drinks, selected cold drinks and fruit, alongside dining rooms serving subsidised meals and snacks for Partners while at work (some exclusions apply).

The HMRC approved salary sacrifice scheme lets Partners spread the cost of purchasing a bike over 18 months while making tax efficient savings.

We know that not all families are the same, so we’ve got a range of inclusive support available for Partners to find the right balance between parenting and satisfying careers in our business. We offer equal parenthood, parental and shared parental leave.

We’ve won Working Mum’s People‘s Top Employer 2022 Award for ‘Best for Family support’ and Working Dad’s Leadership and Culture Award for 2023. These awards recognise the market leading policies and the environment we’ve nurtured to support working families in the Partnership.

At the heart of this culture is our Working Parents Network. One of the eight networks (employee resource groups) in the John Lewis Partnership that exist to educate, influence and challenge the business.

We are also proud to be a Foster Friendly employer, accredited by the Fostering Network. We know that a supportive employer can make all the difference to those who foster, therefore, the experience of the children in their care. This is why if you work for us, we will support you with time off to attend appointments and training.

Each year, you can claim up to £250 to cover half the cost of a range of tutored courses through our Leisure learning subsidy. This benefit is open to all Partners, but you can also use it to claim for baby and child courses such as NCT and hypnobirthing or parent and baby swimming lessons.

And, we are also there for Partners during the difficult times including paid time off for miscarriage or early pregnancy loss and bereavement leave as well as short and longer term unpaid carers leave.

Wellbeing is important to us and we are committed to supporting our Partners.
Our Wellbeing team offer a range of services to support Partners no matter what journey they are on, including a dedicated wellbeing support line that offers confidential practical and emotional support, financial assistance, counselling and mediation.

We have health services including direct access to Physiotherapy and Occupational Health practitioners.

And through our dedicated benefits platform any Partner can access a Digital GP service as well as Vita Hub, our mental health platform at no cost.

Private Healthcare

The private healthcare scheme, run by Bupa, is offered to Partners at levels 1-6 . It provides Partners who need medical attention, the ability to obtain it with minimum interference to their work.

The Partnership will pay the cost of healthcare for eligible Partners with Partners paying the tax on the value of this benefit, with the option to add family members at an additional cost.

We’re really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain’s most beautiful areas and once you’ve been with us for three months, you’re welcome to explore them. Find out more about our hotels here.

Every Partner can claim up to £60 a year towards the cost of event tickets such as concerts and festivals and £250 a year to help towards learning a new skill or exploring an interest. If music’s your thing, make sure you take advantage of our VIP suites at the O2 and Wembley Arena. We also arrange large events and tournaments – past events have included exclusive Partner days at Legoland and Thorpe Park.

You’ll also get free entry to many attractions such as Historic Royal Palaces and museums and take advantage of over 200 discounts and deals on holidays, restaurants and theme parks across the country.

And as a Partner you’ll also be able to join our sports clubs and societies that cover everything from abseiling and skiing to drama and photography.

Partners can support the charities they care about the most by donating through their pay. It’s a simple and tax-free way to donate to charities and is one of the most cost-effective ways for charities to raise funds.

Partners can buy their season ticket for train travel through the Partnership and spread the cost via their pay. There are also money saving offers available to Partners for bus travel to work.

A personal use car (or an allowance as a cash amount if preferred) is offered to Partners at Partnership levels 1-5. The scheme allows Partners to select from most car brands with insurance, recovery, fuel card and service plans included. Essential use cars are available for Partners who are required to travel on business regularly.

Flexible working is welcomed and encouraged, the contribution you make to our business while ensuring your work life balance, is what’s important to us. 

All Partners have the day one right to discuss flexible working and can formally make two flexible working requests per year, but can have informal conversations whenever needed. 

Learn more about flexible working at the Partnership.

Our equal parenthood leave gives all new parents 26 weeks paid leave (14 weeks at full contractual pay and 12 weeks at 50% contractual pay). It’s available for all Partners who’ve worked for the Partnership for one year at the qualifying week or you’re notified of being matched with a child, regardless of how you become a parent. It tops up any statutory maternity leave and pay, statutory paternity pay and leave or statutory adoption leave and pay.

There might be times when you need some extra flexibility to accommodate your parenting responsibilities. We want you to know that you can take up to 18 weeks’ unpaid parental leave per child under 18 years in their lifetime; up to four weeks per year.

Shared parental leave allows you to take a flexible approach to deciding when you’ll be away from work after your baby is born or when you adopt or foster to adopt.