About Marks & Spencer
Who We Are
Marks and Spencer plc (LSE: MKS) is one of the UK's most recognised retailers, founded in 1884 and today employing approximately 65,000 colleagues across clothing, home and food retail. The company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and is "the most trusted retailer" — a positioning Chief Executive Stuart Machin grounds in being "the most trusted employer" through industry-leading pay and family-leave commitments.
Where Will I Work?
M&S operates a UK store and support-centre network with corporate offices at Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Road in London. Retail Managers participate in the Worklife flexible-working programme; support-centre colleagues operate on a hybrid model. The Job Share Finder platform connects colleagues looking to job-share across stores and support centres.
What is the M&S Team Like?
In January 2023, M&S launched Worklife, a flexible-working offering that gives over 3,000 Retail Managers the choice to spread their hours over 5 days, work a four-day compressed week, or a nine-day compressed fortnight. Part-time managers can access pro-rated versions of these patterns. The Worklife launch followed a successful trial across 100 stores: "75% of the Retail Managers participating agreeing that compressed hours had had a positive impact on their family life and 73% on time for themselves." Real testimonials surface in store-manager voices like Simon Pollitt (M&S Stratford-on-Avon): "Working nine days over two weeks means I can get alternative Wednesdays off to look after my one year old son — giving us quality time together and also helping to save money on nursery costs."
Work-Life Balance
In February 2024, M&S announced a £89m investment in retail pay (raising UK Customer Assistants to £12.00/hr / £13.15 London, a 10.1% YoY increase) and a £5m investment in family-leave policies. Maternity and adoption leave nearly doubled to 26 weeks at full pay, paternity leave tripled to 6 weeks at full pay, and the retailer launched an industry-leading Neonatal Leave Policy offering up to 12 weeks' fully paid leave to any UK colleague whose baby requires specialist neonatal care — without using up maternity, paternity or adoption leave. M&S also offers a dedicated fertility-treatment policy giving colleagues up to 10 days off across 3 cycles of treatment, and was awarded Menopause Friendly Accreditation by Henpicked in 2023.
Perks and Benefits
- Worklife flexible working — four-day compressed week, nine-day compressed fortnight, or hours spread over 5 days for 3,000+ Retail Managers.
- Job Share Finder — internal platform connecting colleagues for job-share matches.
- Uncapped 20% colleague discount — across all M&S branded food, clothing, home and branded products.
- Industry-leading pension contribution of up to 12%.
- Colleague Sharesave schemes.
- Life cover up to 4× salary.
- 24/7 virtual GP service for colleagues + wider family.
- 6 free physiotherapy sessions/year, free eye tests at M&S Opticians.
- Check4Cancer support with free screenings for colleagues at higher risk for the top 5 most common UK cancers.
- Family-leave package — 26 weeks maternity/adoption at full pay; 6 weeks paternity at full pay; 12 weeks fully paid Neonatal Leave; 10 days fertility-treatment leave for up to 3 cycles.
- Menopause support — line manager training, uniform support, and Menopause Friendly Accreditation.
- Up to 35 days annual leave including bank holidays (DB-recorded).