John Lewis Partnership, a renowned British business offering supermarket, department store, and banking services, announced a generous initiative on Wednesday. Until January, they'll cover three months of free meals for all their staff, including temporary and agency workers. This move comes amidst soaring inflation, causing consumer prices to hike by 10.1% in July, primarily due to escalating food costs.
Regular workers getting fewer than four work hours a day are entitled to one gratis meal, while those working eight hours become eligible for two free meals. The staff canteen will offer a variety of options, from warming breakfast, hearty soups, flavorful curries, delectable pasta, and mouth-watering Sunday roasts. Meanwhile, the LGV drivers are provided with pre-ordered lunch boxes.
Despite the lack of information about how this initiative relates to inflation, data uncovered reveals that John Lewis Partnership had made a substantial investment last year. They pumped a record £116 million to raise salaries by an average of 10% starting in April 2025[1]. This move supports workers as they grapple with escalating living expenses, including inflation.
There's no mention of free meals as a strategy to counteract inflation's impact on employees within these disclosures.
[1] John Lewis Partnership Invested £116 Million in Boosting Staff Pay Last Year (Source: independent.co.uk)
