Electricals retailer Comet will introduce innovative flexible working schemes in stores and at head office next year, following a series of pilots.
Store staff will have the option to work 'annualised hours' whereby they might work a handful of hours one week and many more another, but draw a constant salary.
Comet claims to be one of the first non-food retailers to adopt such a flexible approach, similar to that pioneered by supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury's.
Internal research uncovered strong support from staff for more flexible working hours, according to employee relations manager Veronica McCarthy.
She said it makes business sense to cater effectively for the varying needs of different types of employee.
Some staff - such as university students - may be able to divide their time between more than one store, enabling them to keep up employment whether they are at college or at home during the holidays.
She said: 'By the end of June, the systems will be in place and we will begin offering options to staff throughout the company.'
Recruitment for trial schemes will be suspended over the peak Christmas shopping period, but 40 retail staff are already taking part. The electricals chain employs 8,200 people full and part-time.
Comet has more than 250 stores and is part of retail conglomerate Kingfisher's electricals division, which is scheduled for demerger next year.
No comments yet