Clothing retailer Primark has introduced a new hybrid working model to coincide with its office-based employees returning to the workplace.
From September, staff will once again work at its global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, Primark House in Reading, UK and its central supply chain office in Islip, UK. The plan will see employees attend the workplace for an average of three days a week, with their schedules based on individual role requirements and team level agreements.
According to the business, the decision is in response to its work-type assessments and internal listening sessions composed to anticipate the needs of its employees, business and customers. The model will be replacing and expanding its current flexible working approach, as previously staff were able to choose whether or not they worked from home, and had additional flexibility on start and finish times.
Employees who are returning to the workplace are set to join both product and central functions teams, who have been recently been office-based due to tasks that were critical to the business. The retailer will continue to follow government safety guidelines as it makes this transition.
Lorraine Culligan, group director of people and culture, explained that senior leadership wants to protect the organisation’s great culture, support people into the future and continue to innovate for customers.
“Together, we have taken the learnings and insights from the past 18 months to develop a hybrid working model that gives us the best of both remote and in-person work, balancing flexibility with human connection and collaboration. We plan to implement this change for everyone from September, yet we are living in uncertain times, and we will continue to trial and learn for the foreseeable,” she said.
Culligan added that although the situation is continually changing, the model is based on trust and will enable greater personal flexibility, allowing each member of staff to blend working from home with working from the workspace.