Wickes has introduced flexible working options to all store manager roles across its estate.
The home improvement retailer is now offering managers the option of working four longer days in store, or flexing their hours across the week to better suit their lifestyles.
A successful six-month trial was conducted in 14 stores in partnership with Timewise, and the option will now be rolled out across 230 stores nationwide.
The retailer said it found that offering more flexibility to managers had no negative impact on store KPIs and 96.5% of store managers taking part in the pilot were either satisfied or very satisfied with their working hours, up from 66.5% pre-pilot.
‘Happy colleagues mean happy customers’
Wickes chief people officer Sonia Astill said: “We are delighted to be giving the opportunity for our store management teams to explore flexible working options and busting the myth that managers in retail operations need to be on-site at all hours of the day.
“We have demonstrated that this just isn’t the case and that being open-minded about flexible working patterns can deliver significant benefits to both the company and colleagues.”
Astill added: “At Wickes we want our colleagues to feel at home and feel supported to be their authentic selves at work. Key to achieving this is a healthy work-life balance, allowing people to switch off from work and spend more time with friends and family.
“It is also a win-win for the business leading to higher levels of engagement, reduced turnover and the ability to attract and retain diverse talent. Ultimately, happy colleagues lead to happy customers and better overall company performance.”
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