Marks and Spencer Summary
Summary:
M&S are increasing the number of staff who work from home, answering customer letters or electronic comments. Flexibility has increased across the whole week and staff response has been very positive. The company believes that helping staff to achieve a better work-life balance will play a part in its future success.
Profile:
All staff in Marks & Spencer plc (75,000 employees around the UK in 2000) are involved in an initiative called 'Getting in shape for our customers', which is a key activity designed to create a stronger customer focus through lower prices and improved service. The company believes that any assistance it can give employees to achieve a better work-life balance will play a part in the Company's future success. Line manager job profiles highlight the importance of people management skills and the appraisal system encourages behaviours which get the best out of people.
Following trials, M&S are increasing the number of staff who work from home answering customer letters or electronic comments. Flexibility has increased across the whole week including Sundays, with an accompanying rise in productivity. Staff response has been very positive to this approach - the typical response being:'Its great to know that we are trusted to get on with our jobs at home'. There are also a number of examples of employees being able to raise issues and concerns and to vary hours to help overcome 'life' issues. These include employees experiencing stress due to domestic issues, who have been able to move to job-shares, providing time for resolution of the problem.
The company also offers job-share, individual working patterns, term time and home working. Enhanced carer leave options include leave for community involvement and for IVF treatment.
Introduction
Marks and Spencer is one of the best known high street retailers in the UK. It has over 450 stores and employs over 65,000 people. It also operates overseas. In the face of more intense
M&S are increasing the number of staff who work from home, answering customer letters or electronic comments. Flexibility has increased across the whole week and staff response has been very positive. The company believes that helping staff to achieve a better work-life balance will play a part in its future success.
Profile:
All staff in Marks & Spencer plc (75,000 employees around the UK in 2000) are involved in an initiative called 'Getting in shape for our customers', which is a key activity designed to create a stronger customer focus through lower prices and improved service. The company believes that any assistance it can give employees to achieve a better work-life balance will play a part in the Company's future success. Line manager job profiles highlight the importance of people management skills and the appraisal system encourages behaviours which get the best out of people.
Following trials, M&S are increasing the number of staff who work from home answering customer letters or electronic comments. Flexibility has increased across the whole week including Sundays, with an accompanying rise in productivity. Staff response has been very positive to this approach - the typical response being:'Its great to know that we are trusted to get on with our jobs at home'. There are also a number of examples of employees being able to raise issues and concerns and to vary hours to help overcome 'life' issues. These include employees experiencing stress due to domestic issues, who have been able to move to job-shares, providing time for resolution of the problem.
The company also offers job-share, individual working patterns, term time and home working. Enhanced carer leave options include leave for community involvement and for IVF treatment.
Introduction
Marks and Spencer is one of the best known high street retailers in the UK. It has over 450 stores and employs over 65,000 people. It also operates overseas. In the face of more intense