THG is slashing 171 jobs as it orders all staff back to office five days a week

THG, which owns brands like Lookfantastic and Myprotein, told employees it has put 581 jobs in consultation and plans to scrap 171 roles as part of a cost-cutting drive, the Financial Times has reported.

The ecommerce giant has cut almost a third of its workforce over the past two years as part of cost-saving measures.

THG also put an end to its flexible working policy and ordered staff back to its HQ in Manchester for the whole working week.

In an email seen by Retail Week, THG chief people officer Konrad Hill told staff the company had observed inconsistencies in adherence to its previous policy, which required employees to come into the office for four days a week with an option to work from home one day a week subject to prior approval.

Hill added that this was “adversely impacting group culture” and “decision-making processes” as THG ordered all employees to return to the office for five days a week.

Employees with a formal flexible working arrangement agreed upon as part of their employment contract may also be affected under the new policy as THG intends to put these contracts under review “in the near future”.

A member of staff told Retail Week the decision was announced at a time when chief executive Matt Moulding was away from the office, claiming this was “so he doesn’t have to face the music”.

They added that the move has led to several disgruntled members of staff and could result in walkouts from THG brands. 

In an internal email, Konrad Hill said: “As originally communicated on December 4, 2023, there is a desire to return to a more regular, pre-Covid way of working.

“This is why at that time we requested that employees attend the office five days per week from January 2, 2024 (subject to potential flexibility to work from home one day per week upon satisfying certain eligibility criteria).

“Unfortunately, we have observed that adherence to this policy has been inconsistent and is adversely impacting group culture, decision-making processes and identifying top talent. 

“With this in mind, and after careful consideration within the management team, we have decided that all employees will now be required to attend the office five days per week.”

He added: “It is the view of management that enhanced in-person collaboration will enable us to further improve our high-performance culture and it is hoped that this will enable us to reintroduce reward and recognition initiatives.”

THG declined to comment.