John Lewis staff unhappy at mystery shoppers fitted with hidden cameras

John Lewis Partners have accused the retailer of spying on them during a pilot project that involved fitting mystery shoppers with hidden body cameras.

This has been tested out at five John Lewis and four Waitrose stores. According to documents seen by the Mirror, the aim is “to find out if video replays can improve customer service”. Only selected managers and those staff who are filmed will see the footage. They will also be made aware this is happening in their store before it takes place.

However, writing in the firm’s Gazette magazine, one member of staff said that “many Partners are threatening legal action”. They added: “Filming is a gross invasion of privacy.”

Two become one

Earlier this week, John Lewis Partnership said that it was integrating the teams behind its two brands, John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners, and narrowing its senior management team. Further details here.