John Lewis Bonus Row: Staff Demand Reinstatement
- The John Lewis Partnership, which includes John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, is facing increasing pressure from its employees to reinstate the annual staff bonus.
- Workers have voiced their concerns through an open letter and a petition on the Organize platform, a site designed to support worker-led campaigns.
- Employees claim they are working harder with fewer staff and increased workloads but feel they are receiving less recognition.
John Lewis staff are fiercely demanding the reinstatement of their annual bonus, a benefit absent for three years, stirring meaningful unease amongst employees.Nearly 4,000 workers signed a petition pushing for the return of the bonus—a core element of the John lewis staff incentive, questioning the company’s priorities. The John Lewis Partnership, owner of Waitrose and John Lewis department stores, cites reinvestment despite a reported 73% profit surge, creating tension over employee expectations. This decision is a central point of the push for bonus reinstatement by John Lewis staff. Discover more on this and other breaking news at News Directory 3. Wondering how the upcoming annual general meeting will play out? Discover what’s next.
John Lewis & Waitrose Workers Demand Bonus Reinstatement
Updated june 01, 2025
The John Lewis Partnership, which includes John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, is facing increasing pressure from its employees to reinstate the annual staff bonus. The bonus has been suspended for three years as the retail group attempts a turnaround. This push for bonus reinstatement highlights the tension between John Lewis’s financial strategies and employee expectations.
Workers have voiced their concerns through an open letter and a petition on the Organize platform, a site designed to support worker-led campaigns. The petition, advocating for the return of the bonus, has garnered nearly 4,000 signatures from current and former employees, as well as members of the public. The John Lewis Partnership is owned by its 69,000 employees, and some feel the lack of a bonus, despite the company returning to profitability, undermines this partnership model. The John Lewis staff bonus is a key issue for employees.
Employees claim they are working harder with fewer staff and increased workloads but feel they are receiving less recognition. They emphasize that the bonus was more than just monetary compensation; it symbolized the company’s appreciation for their efforts. One employee told Organise that it was “disheartening” to see the bonus paused during challenging times when partners worked extremely hard. Another noted that other businesses offer better pay and benefits without the partnership structure.
Earlier this year, the retailer announced it would not pay a bonus despite reporting a 73% increase in pre-tax profit, reaching £97 million for the year ending January 25. Sales also increased by 3% to £12.8 billion. The company had returned to profitability the previous year after three years of losses. John Lewis stated that it did not believe it would be appropriate to pay a bonus, as it continues to reinvest in revitalizing the business after a difficult period.The company also cited a £114 million increase in pay earlier in the year.
“We’re working harder than ever, with fewer staff and growing workloads, but getting less recognition,” they wrote. “The bonus meant something more than just money. It was a sign that the company saw and appreciated us.”
Jason Tarry, the new chair who succeeded Dame Sharon White in September, stated in March that he was “resolute to pay a bonus as soon as we can.” The group also anticipates a £40 million impact this year due to increased employer national insurance contributions. The John Lewis Partnership maintains that the bonus remains an vital feature of its employee-ownership model, alongside its democratic structure. They assert that they are focused on improving base pay and investing in the business to better serve customers.
What’s next
The demands for bonus reinstatement come before the group’s annual general meeting on June 12. The meeting is expected to focus on corporate governance, with the company stating that robust discussions about the bonus have already occurred with employees.