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Wickes launches flexible work hours for store managers

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted January 20, 2024

The home improvement retailer Wickes is introducing flexible work hours for its store managers.

It follows the success of a six-month trial conducted in partnership with Timewise.

Store managers can choose between working four longer days in-store or flexing their weekly hours to better align with their lifestyles.

This initiative, which stemmed from a pilot program in 14 stores, is poised to be implemented across 230 stores nationwide.

The trial, designed to assess the impact of increased flexibility on store key performance indicators (KPIs), revealed the new options had no negative effects.

The retailer said 96.5 percent of store managers participating in the pilot are either satisfied or highly satisfied with their working hours.

"A win-win for the business leading to higher levels of engagement, reduced turnover and the ability to attract and retain diverse talent"

It marks a major increase from the pre-trial satisfaction rate of 66.5 percent.

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.”

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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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