The Constitution of the John Lewis Partnership - Introduction,Principles and Rules

Page created by Allan Ramsey
 
CONTINUE READING
John Lewis Partnership

The Constitution
of the John Lewis Partnership
Introduction,Principles and Rules

May 2014
Contents

Foreword                            3

Part 1 – Introduction               5

Part 2 – Principles                 7
Purpose                              7
Power                                7
Profit                               7
Members                              7
Customers                            7
Business relationships               8
The community                        8

Part 3 – Rules                      9
Section 1 – How power is shared     9
General                              9
The Partnership Council             10
     Purpose and authority          10
     Constituencies and elections   11
     Other members of the Council   11
     Council business               12
     Elections by the Council       12
     Finance of the Council         13
     Other representative bodies    13
The Partnership Board               15
The Chairman                        17

Contents
1
Contents
1

Section 2 – Partners’ rights and responsibilities                 19
Happiness of members                                              19
Relationships                                                     19
Employment conditions                                             20
Pay                                                               21
Security of employment                                            21
Grievances and appeals                                            22
Amenities and social activities                                   23
Pensions                                                          23
Journalism                                                        24
The Partners’ Counsellor                                          25
Registry                                                          26

Section 3 – Responsibilities to others                                28
Customers                                                             28
Suppliers                                                         28
Competitors                                                       30
Public service                                                    30
The law                                                           30
The environment                                                   30

Section 4 – Amendment and interpretation                          31

This edition includes all amendments agreed between the Partnership
Council and the Chairman to January 2014.

2
Foreword

Not many
Not   many companies
            companies have
                      have aawritten
                             writtenconstitution.
                                     constitution.Ours
                                                  Oursdoes,
                                                       does,
for two
for  two reasons.
         reasons.

 The first
The    first is
             is historical.
                historical. The Partnership
                                 Partnership exists
                                                 exists today
                                                           today because
                                                                  because
 of the   extraordinary
of the extraordinary       vision and   ideals  of  its Founder,
                                        ideals of its Founder,
 John Spedan
John    Spedan Lewis. He believed an 'industrial
                                            ‘industrial democracy'
                                                             democracy’
 where employees
where     employees shared knowledge,
                                knowledge, power
                                              power and  and profit
                                                               profit was
                                                                       was
aa better
   better form of business. That vision was set       set out
                                                           out in
                                                                in aa written
                                                                      written
 Constitution -–aaframework
Constitution          framework to to define
                                      define the
                                               the Partnership’s
                                                     Partnership's
 principles and the way it should operate.
principles                               operate. TheThe Constitution
                                                            Constitution
 has been
has   been revised on a number of occasions since        since then,
                                                                then,
 in order
in  order to keep it fresh and up to date. Nonetheless,
                                                   Nonetheless,
 this latest
this  latest edition is a direct connection
                                   connection to   to his
                                                        his original
                                                             original
 inspiration -–ititdefines
inspiration         defines what
                              what we
                                    we are.
                                       are.

 The second
The    second looks forward. The challenge
                                   challenge forfor Partners
                                                    Partners today
                                                                today
 is to prove
is to prove   that a business which is not driven   by the  demands
                                            driven by the demands
 of outside
of   outside shareholders and which sets
                                       sets high
                                            high standards
                                                  standards of  of
 behaviour can flourish in the competitive
behaviour                        competitive conditions
                                               conditions facing
                                                              facing
aa modern
    modern retailing business. The Constitution
                                     Constitution provides
                                                     provides the
 the  Principles and  Rules within which   we aim   to demonstrate,
Principles and Rules within which we aim to demonstrate,
 through Partners, customers and profit,
through                              profit, that
                                             that we
                                                   we are
                                                       are aa better
                                                               better
 form of
form    of business.
           business.

The Constitution
The   Constitution identifies that the
                                   the ‘happiness
                                        ‘happiness ofof all
                                                         all its
                                                              its
members’ relies on their ‘worthwhile
members’                   ‘worthwhile andand satisfying
                                               satisfying
employment in a successful business’.
employment                     business’. To
                                           To achieve
                                              achieve this
                                                        this wewe aim
                                                                    aim
to give
to give all
        all Partners a relevant, consistent
                                 consistent and
                                             and rewarding
                                                   rewarding
experience during their career. This
experience                          Thisexperience
                                          experienceisisbased
                                                          basedon    on
the Partnership
the  Partnership and Partners themselves
                                themselves delivering
                                              delivering three
                                                           three
commitments: taking
commitments:     takingresponsibility
                        responsibilityfor
                                        forour
                                            ourbusiness
                                                 businesssuccess,
                                                              success,
building relationships Powered
building                 Powered byby our
                                      our Principles
                                           Principles and
                                                        and creating
                                                               creating
real influence
real influence  over our  working  lives. These  commitments
                                   lives. These commitments
place on us all the obligation to improve our
place                                         our business
                                                   business in  in the
                                                                    the
knowledge that we share the rewards of success.
knowledge                                   success.

3
Foreword

The Constitution also addresses
                       addresses the
                                  the role
                                       role of
                                             of the
                                                 the Partnership
                                                     Partnership
in society, defining our responsibilities
                         responsibilities to customers,suppliers
                                          to customers,    suppliers
and to the environment.

The Partnership must change
                        change constantly
                                constantly to
                                            to fulfil
                                                fulfil its
                                                        itsultimate
                                                           ultimate
purpose. The
          TheConstitution
               Constitutionensures
                              ensuresthese
                                      thesechanges
                                             changesremainremaintrue
                                                                  true
to our principles and will allow
                           allow us
                                 us to
                                    to pass
                                       pass on
                                             on to
                                                 to our
                                                     our successors
                                                           successors
a business they too will be proud
                            proud to
                                   to work
                                      work in.
                                            in.

Charlie Mayfield
Chairman
Chairman                                            September
                                                    September 2009
                                                              2009

4
Part 1 – Introduction

1   The two
    The    two Settlements
               Settlements in Trust made by John Spedan
                                                  Spedan Lewis
                                                             Lewis
    in 1929
    in 1929 and
              and 1950 established a business known
                                              known as as the
                                                          the
    John Lewis
    John    Lewis Partnership, to be owned in trust
                                              trust for
                                                    for the
                                                        the benefit
                                                             benefit
    of its
    of its members,
            members, who are Partners from the day
                                                 day they
                                                      they join.
                                                            join.

2   The trustee
    The  trustee of the Settlements is John Lewis
                                             Lewis Partnership
                                                    Partnership
    Trust Limited (‘the Trust Company’),
    Trust                      Company’), andand its
                                                 its Chairman
                                                     Chairman isis the
                                                                    the
    Partnership’s Chairman. Its other
    Partnership’s                other directors
                                        directors are
                                                   are the
                                                        the Deputy
                                                            Deputy
    Chairman and the three Partners elected
    Chairman                            elected by
                                                by the
                                                    the Partnership
                                                         Partnership
    Council as Trustees of the Constitution
    Council                    Constitution (Rule
                                              (Rule 18(ii)).
                                                     18(ii)).

3   The Partnership
    The   Partnership is governed according
                                  according toto aa written
                                                    written
    Constitution, which is subordinate
    Constitution,           subordinate to
                                        to and
                                           and must
                                                 must not
                                                        not conflict
                                                            conflict
    with the
    with  the Settlements. On taking office, the
                                             the Chairman
                                                   Chairman
    (Rule 43) and the other directors of the Trust
    (Rule                                      Trust Company
                                                       Company
    undertake to uphold it, and to promote in every
    undertake                                      every possible
                                                          possible
    way the
    way  the wellbeing
             wellbeing of the Partnership.
                              Partnership.

4   The Partnership
    The  Partnership is the general body of Partners,
                                             Partners, working
                                                         working
    together for the success of the business
    together                        business to
                                             to fulfil
                                                fulfil the
                                                       the purpose
                                                           purpose
    and principles
    and principles of this Constitution.
                           Constitution.

5   A Partner
    A  Partner is an employee of John Lewis plc or of any other
                                                           other
    company within the Partnership, which
    company                          which has
                                             has been
                                                 been designated
                                                       designated
    in accordance
    in accordance with the 1929 Trust Settlement.
                                       Settlement.

6   The Constitution
    The  Constitution consists of this Introduction,
                                       Introduction, the
                                                      the Principles
                                                          Principles
    and the
    and  the Rules.
             Rules. The Principles define the Partnership’s
                                               Partnership’s
    aims and
    aims  and ultimate purpose and the Rules are
                                               are statements
                                                   statements
    of general
    of general policy.

    5
Introduction

7   The Constitution applies to all Partners
                                     Partners (and
                                              (and to
                                                    to all
                                                       all other
                                                           other
    employees as described in their contracts
                                      contracts of
                                                of employment)
                                                   employment)
    and in all units of the
                        the Partnership’s
                            Partnership’s business,
                                          business, except
                                                    except when:
                                                             when:

    (i) specific
          specific provision
                  provision isis made
                                 made in the Rules for more limited
         application;
          application;or
                       or
    (ii) the
          the Chairman
              Chairman has
                         has excluded
                               excluded specific
                                         specific parts
                                                 parts of
                                                       of the
         Partnership’s
          Partnership’s business
                        business from
                                   from specific
                                        specific Rules.
                                                 Rules.

8   Every Partner is responsible
                     responsible for
                                 for knowing,
                                     knowing, complying
                                               complyingwith
                                                          withand
                                                               and
    upholding the Partnership’s
                   Partnership’s Principles
                                  Principles and
                                             and those
                                                  thoseRules
                                                       Ruleswhich
                                                             which
    concern him.

9   In the Partnership’s Constitution, unless
                                        unless the context
                                                   context requires
                                                           requires
    otherwise, the masculine includes the feminine and the
    singular the plural and vice versa.

    6
Part 2 – Principles

    Purpose
1   The Partnership’s ultimate purpose is    is the
                                                the happiness
                                                     happiness of  of all
                                                                      all
                                 worthwhile and
    its members, through their worthwhile        and satisfying
                                                        satisfying
                                  business. Because
    employment in a successful business.       Because the  the
                              trust for
    Partnership is owned in trust   for its
                                         its members,
                                             members, they  they share
                                                                  share
    the responsibilities of ownership asas well
                                             well as
                                                  as its
                                                      its rewards
                                                           rewards ––
    profit, knowledge and power.
    profit,

    Power
2   Power in the Partnership is shared between three governing
    authorities, the Partnership Council, the Partnership
                                              Partnership Board
                                                          Board
    and the Chairman.

    Profit
3   The Partnership aims
                       aims to
                            to make
                                make sufficient
                                        sufficientprofit
                                                   profitfrom
                                                          from
    its trading operations
                operations to
                            to sustain
                               sustain its
                                         itscommercial
                                             commercialvitality,
                                                           vitality,
    to finance
        finance its continued
                    continued development,
                               development, to   todistribute
                                                   distributeaashare
                                                                   share
    of those profits
              profits each
                      each year
                           year to
                                 to its
                                     itsmembers,
                                         members,andandtotoenable
                                                             enableitittoto
    undertake other activities consistent with its ultimate purpose.

    Members
4   The Partnership aims
                       aims to
                             to employ
                                 employ andand retain
                                                retainas
                                                       asits
                                                          itsmembers
                                                             members
    people of ability and
                       and integrity
                            integrity who
                                        whoare
                                             arecommitted
                                                  committedto toworking
                                                                 working
    together and to supporting
                      supporting itsits Principles.
                                        Principles.Relationships
                                                      Relationshipsare
                                                                    are
    based on mutual respect
                       respect and
                                 and courtesy,
                                      courtesy,with
                                                  withas
                                                       asmuch
                                                          muchequality
                                                                equality
    between its members
                members as   as differences
                                differences ofofresponsibility
                                                 responsibilitypermit.
                                                                permit.
    The Partnership aims
                       aims to
                             to recognise
                                 recognise their
                                             theirindividual
                                                    individual
    contributions and reward
                         reward them
                                  them fairly.
                                         fairly.

    Customers
5   The Partnership aims to deal honestly with its customers and
    secure their loyalty and trust by providing outstanding choice,
    value and service.

    7
Principles

    Business Relationships
6   The Partnership aims toto conduct
                              conduct all
                                        all its
                                             itsbusiness
                                                businessrelationships
                                                         relationships
    with integrity and courtesy,
                       courtesy, and
                                 and scrupulously
                                      scrupulouslyto  tohonour
                                                         honourevery
                                                                 every
    business agreement.

    The Community
7   The Partnership aims toto obey
                              obey the
                                    the spirit
                                         spiritas
                                                aswell
                                                  wellasasthe
                                                           theletter
                                                               letter
    of the law and
               and to
                   to contribute
                      contribute to
                                  tothe
                                     thewellbeing
                                          wellbeingof ofthe
                                                         the
    communities where it operates.
                           operates.

    8
Part 3 – Rules

    Section 1 – How power is shared
    General
1   The Partnership
          Partnership operates
                       operateson ondemocratic
                                     democraticprinciples
                                                principlesand
                                                           andasas
                                                                 much
                                                                   much
    sharing of
             of power
                 power among
                        amongitsitsmembers
                                   membersand
                                            andrepresentative
                                                 representativebodies
                                                                 bodies
    as is consistent
          consistent with
                     withefficiency.
                          efficiency.

2   The three governing authorities
                         authorities of
                                     of the
                                        the Partnership
                                            Partnership are
                                                         are the
                                                               the
    Partnership Council, the
                         the Partnership
                             Partnership Board,
                                           Board, and
                                                  and the
                                                       the Chairman
                                                             Chairman
    (Principle 2). Their
                   Theirpower
                         powerto
                               todirect
                                  directthe
                                          thePartnership’s
                                              Partnership’saffairs
                                                              affairs
    depends on the consent of Partners,
                               Partners, whose
                                          whose opinion
                                                 opinion isis
    expressed through:

    (i) formal
           formal arrangements
                  arrangements forfor sharing
                                      sharing knowledge;
    (ii) representative
           representative bodies;
                          bodies;
    (iii) personal
           personalcontact
                    contact between
                            between Partners,
                                       Partners, both
                                                 both formal
          and
          and informal.
               informal.

3   The Partnership Council, as the representative
                                      representative body
                                                     body ofof the
                                                                the
    members of the Partnership, entrusts
                                   entrusts management
                                            management of of the
                                                              the
    business to the Partnership
                    Partnership Board,
                                 Board, which
                                        which delegates
                                               delegates its
                                                          its
    management authority
                  authority to
                            to the
                               the Chairman.
                                    Chairman.

4                aim of
    The shared aim    of the
                          the three
                               threegoverning
                                      governingauthorities
                                                 authoritiesisistoto
                   Partnership’s future,
    safeguard the Partnership’s     future, to
                                             toenhance
                                                enhanceitsitsprosperity
                                                              prosperity
           ensure its
    and to ensure  its integrity.
                        integrity. They
                                   Theyshould
                                          shouldencourage
                                                 encouragecreativity
                                                               creativity
            entrepreneurial spirit
    and an entrepreneurial      spirit but
                                       but must
                                           mustnot
                                                 notrisk
                                                     riskany
                                                          anyloss
                                                                lossofof
    financial independence.
    financial  independence.

5                    either legal
    Commitments, either      legal or
                                   or moral,
                                      moral,totospend
                                                 spendPartnership
                                                       Partnership
               only be
    funds may only   be made
                         made upon
                                uponwritten
                                       writtenauthority
                                               authorityfrom
                                                         fromthe
                                                               the
    Partnership Board or or from
                             from someone
                                   someone delegated
                                             delegatedtotogive
                                                           give
                 its behalf.
    authority on its behalf.

    9
Rules

6    The Partnership needs
                        needs aa sufficiently
                                  sufficientlywide
                                               widecommercial
                                                    commercialbase basetoto
     ensure its long-term
                long-term vitality,
                            vitality, and
                                      and to
                                           toachieve
                                              achievethis
                                                      thisititmay
                                                              mayengage
                                                                   engage
     in as wide a variety of enterprises as it can undertake
                                                    undertake efficiently.
                                                                 efficiently.

     The Partnership Council

     Purpose and authority
7    The Partnership Council
                        Council represents
                                 represents Partners
                                              Partnersasasaawhole
                                                              whole
     and reflects their opinion.
                         opinion. In
                                   In sharing
                                       sharing responsibility
                                                responsibilityfor
                                                                for
     the Partnership’s health
                         health with
                                with the
                                      the Partnership
                                          PartnershipBoard
                                                         Boardandandthe
                                                                      the
     Chairman, it holds
                    holds the
                           the Chairman
                               Chairman to to account.
                                               account.ItItdiscusses,
                                                            discusses,
     influences and makes recommendations
                              recommendations on   on the
                                                       thedevelopment
                                                            development
     of policy. It
                It shares
                   shares in making decisions about the governance
                                                             governance
     of the Partnership.
            Partnership.

     The Council may ask the Partnership Board or thethe Chairman
                                                         Chairman
     anything it wishes, and they must answer unless doing
                                                      doing so
                                                            so
     would in their opinion damage the Partnership’s interests.

8    The Council shares
                 shares in
                        in decision-making
                           decision-making through
                                            throughmaking
                                                     making
     recommendations to the
                          the Chairman
                              Chairman on
                                        on any
                                           anysubject.
                                                subject.

9    Soon after the end
                    end of
                         of each
                            each trading
                                   tradinghalf
                                           halfyear,
                                                year,the
                                                      theChairman
                                                          Chairman
     must attend a meeting
                    meeting of
                             of the
                                 the Council,
                                      Council,to
                                               toaccount
                                                  accountfor
                                                           forthe
                                                               the
     progress of the Partnership
                     Partnership under
                                    under his
                                          hisleadership.
                                              leadership.

10   If the Council judges
                      judges that
                               that the
                                     the Chairman
                                         Chairmanhas  hasfailed
                                                          failedto
                                                                 tofulfil,
                                                                    fulfil,
     or is no longer
              longer aa suitable
                          suitable person
                                    persontotofulfil,
                                               fulfil,the
                                                       theresponsibilities
                                                           responsibilities
     of his office
            office as
                   as laid
                       laid down
                            down ininthe
                                       theConstitution,
                                           Constitution,ititmay
                                                              maypass
                                                                   pass
     a ‘Resolution upon the  the Constitution’
                                 Constitution’ totodismiss
                                                     dismissthe
                                                              theChairman
                                                                  Chairman
     according to the Articles
                          Articles of
                                   of Association
                                       AssociationofofJohn
                                                        JohnLewis
                                                              Lewis
     Partnership Trust Limited.
                           Limited.

     10
Rules

     Constituencies and elections
11   Elected members of   of the
                             the Council
                                    Council represent
                                             representconstituencies
                                                        constituencies
     which are decided by  by the
                                the Trustees
                                     Trustees of
                                               ofthe
                                                  theConstitution.
                                                      Constitution.
     The number of  of constituencies
                       constituenciesand andof ofcouncillors
                                                  councillorsisisdetermined
                                                                  determined
                  Council as
     so that the Council    as aa whole
                                   wholemay
                                         mayhave
                                               haveproperly
                                                    properlyinformed
                                                                informed
     discussion, rather
     discussion,  rather than
                          thanto  toprovide
                                     provideproportional
                                              proportionalrepresentation
                                                             representation
             different groups
     for the different  groupsand  andsectional
                                       sectionalinterests
                                                  interestsofofPartners.
                                                                 Partners.

     Any Partner may stand asas aa candidate
                                   candidate for
                                              forelection
                                                  electionto
                                                           tothe
                                                              the
     Council to represent the constituency
                               constituency in inwhich
                                                 whichhe heworks.
                                                            works.
     If he moves from
                 from the
                      the constituency,
                           constituency, his
                                          hismembership
                                               membershipof  ofthe
                                                                the
     Council automatically ends.
                            ends.

     Elections to the Council
                      Council are
                              are held
                                  held every
                                        everythree
                                              threeyears.
                                                    years.

12   Every Partner has aa single
                          single vote
                                 vote in
                                       inelections
                                          electionsto
                                                    tothe
                                                       theCouncil.
                                                           Council.

13                             elections are
     The Trustees ensure that elections  are held
                                             held byby secret
                                                       secret ballot.
                                                                ballot.
                                      for candidates
     When a vacancy occurs, the call for  candidates forfor aa by-election
                                                               by-election
                        within 28 days,
     must be published within     days, unless
                                        unless the
                                                the Trustees
                                                     Trustees of of the
                                                                     the
                  decide otherwise.
     Constitution decide otherwise. The
                                      Therulings
                                           rulingsofofthe
                                                       theTrustees
                                                             Trustees
                               elections are
     on correct procedure for elections  are final.
                                             final.

     The Chairman may appoint
                          appoint aa Councillor
                                     Councillortotorepresent
                                                    representa
     aconstituency before
        constituency      anan
                     before  election can
                               election   take
                                        can     place.
                                             take place.

     Other members of the Council
14   Members of the Partnership Board are automatically members
     of the Council, so that the Council
                                 Council may
                                         may rely
                                             rely on
                                                  on their
                                                      their advice,
                                                            advice,
     experience and specialist knowledge.

     The Chairman may appoint to the Council
                                        Council other
                                                 other Partners
                                                        Partners
     whose advice will benefit the Council,
                                   Council, subject
                                            subject to
                                                    to the
                                                       the
     agreement of the Trustees of the
                                   the Constitution.
                                       Constitution.

     11
Rules

     Council business
15   Only elected Councillors,
                   Councillors, and
                                 and any
                                      any who
                                           whohave
                                                havebeen
                                                     beenappointed
                                                           appointedby
     thethe
     by  Chairman
            Chairmanto represent  Partners’
                        to represent        constituencies,
                                     Partners’               maymay
                                                 constituencies,  vote in
     Council
     vote     proceedings.
          in Council         Members
                      proceedings.     of the Partnership
                                    Members                Board and
                                                of the Partnership
     any members
     Board  and anyappointed
                     membersby    the Chairman
                                appointed   by thefor their specialist
                                                    Chairman   for their
     expertise expertise
     specialist have no vote inno
                          have  Council.
                                   vote in Council.

16   Before joining the
                      the Council,
                           Council, every
                                      every member
                                            memberdeclares
                                                     declaresin
                                                              inwriting
                                                                 writing
     that he will carry
                   carry out
                          out the
                               the duties
                                   dutiesof
                                          ofmembership
                                             membershipto tothe
                                                             thebest
                                                                 best
     of his ability and
                    and in
                         in ways
                            ways that
                                  thathe
                                       hejudges
                                          judgesbest
                                                 bestfurther
                                                      furtherthe
                                                               the
     purposes of the Partnership.
                       Partnership.

17   The Partnership’s management
                           management willwill encourage
                                               encourageand  andsupport
                                                                  support
     Partners’ involvement in  in Council
                                   Council business.
                                            business. ItItalso
                                                           alsoprovides
                                                                provides
     facilities for the Council
                        Council toto meet
                                     meet and
                                           andsuch
                                                suchadministrative
                                                      administrative
     and other help as as the
                          the Council
                              Council reasonably
                                        reasonablyrequests.
                                                    requests.

     Elections by the Council
18   During each term, the
                       the Council
                           Council elects:
                                   elects:

     (i) aaPartner
             Partner to
                      to be
                         be its
                             its President
                                 President (who may not be the
          Chairman
           Chairman or or Deputy
                          Deputy Chairman);
                                     Chairman);
     (ii) three
           three Partners
                 Partnersto tobe
                               beTrustees
                                   Trusteesofofthe
                                                 theConstitution
                                                      Constitutionand
                                                                   and
          to
           tobe
              beappointed
                 appointedasasDirectors
                                  DirectorsofofJohn
                                                JohnLewis
                                                       LewisPartnership
                                                             Partnership
          Trust
           TrustLimited.
                  Limited.The
                            TheChairman,
                                  Chairman,members
                                               membersofofthetheChairman’s
                                                                 Chairman’s
          Committee
           Committeeand andthetheCompany
                                   CompanySecretary
                                              Secretarymaymaynot
                                                               notbe
                                                                   be
          Trustees
           Trusteesofofthe
                        theConstitution;
                             Constitution;
     (iii)five
     (iii) fivePartners
                Partnerstotobebeappointed
                                  appointedas asmembers
                                                  members ofof the
                                                               the
          Partnership   Board,    who   may
           Partnership Board, who may not    not  at the same  time
          represent
           representPartners
                      Partners as as elected
                                     elected members
                                              members of the
          Partnership
           PartnershipCouncil.
                         Council;

     12
Rules

     The Council elects
                    elects four
                           four trustees
                                 trustees to
                                           toserve
                                              serveasasDirectors
                                                       Directorsofofthe
                                                                     the
                  Partnership Pensions
     John Lewis Partnership      Pensions Trust
                                            Trust and
                                                   andtwo
                                                       fourmembers
                                                            members
     to serve on the
                  the Pension
                       Pension Management
                                 ManagementCommittee.
                                                 Committee.In Inboth
                                                                  both
     cases, these are elected
                       elected for
                                for three-year
                                     three-yearterms,
                                                 terms,which
                                                        whichfit
                                                               fitwith
                                                                   with
     the cycle of the
                  the Trust’s
                       Trust’s triennial
                                triennialreview.
                                           review.

     The  Council also
     The Council  also elects
                       elects three
                               three Partners
                                     Partnersto
                                              tobe
                                                 betrustees
                                                    trustees
     of the Golden  Jubilee Trust  and  one trustee
     of the Golden Jubilee Trust and one trustee of ofthe
                                                       the
     John  Spedan  Lewis Foundation.
     John Spedan Lewis Foundation.

     If
     If aa vacancy
           vacancy occurs
                   occurs in
                           in any
                              any of
                                  ofthese
                                     thesepositions,
                                           positions,the
                                                      theCouncil
                                                          Council
     elects  a replacement   as soon  as possible.
     elects a replacement as soon as possible.

     Finance of the Council
19
19   Each year the Council is entitled to funds
                                          funds equivalent
                                                equivalent to
                                                           to at
                                                              at
                                  and Partnership
     least one percent of the pay and  Partnership Bonus
                                                   Bonus received
                                                          received
     by Partners for the previous trading year.

20
20   The Council has authority
                       authority to
                                  to spend
                                      spend this
                                             thismoney
                                                 moneyin  inany
                                                             any
     way that it considers
                 considers good
                            good for
                                  for the
                                       thePartnership,
                                           Partnership,although
                                                         although
     the Chairman has aa veto
                           veto over
                                over any
                                       anyproposed
                                           proposedexpenditure
                                                     expenditure
     he considers too damaging
                       damaging to to the
                                       the Partnership’s
                                           Partnership’sbusiness
                                                          business
     interests. Councillors may
                             may not
                                  not spend
                                       spend any
                                              anyof
                                                  ofthese
                                                     thesefunds
                                                            funds
     for their own personal
                    personal benefit.
                              benefit.

21
21   The Council may incur
                        incur capital
                              capital expenditure
                                      expenditureononamenities
                                                      amenities
     up to a total
             total sum
                   sum sanctioned
                        sanctioned each
                                    eachyear
                                         yearby
                                              bythe
                                                 theChairman.
                                                     Chairman.

22 Procedures
   The Council     determines its own procedures and how best
   it may fulfil its role as set out
22 The Council determines             in Rule
                                 its own       7.
                                           procedures   and how best
   it may fulfil its role as set out in Rule 7.
23 The Council meets whenever it wishes, but at least twice a year,
   and when
23 The  Councilthemeets
                     Chairman    or theit Trustees
                           whenever                of the
                                          wishes, but      Constitution
                                                       at least twice   ask.
   Meetings   take   place within  working    hours whenever
   a year, and when the Chairman or the Trustees of the          the Council
   considers thatask.
   Constitution      to be necessary.
                        Meetings    take place within working hours
   whenever the Council considers that to be necessary.

     13
Rules

24   Any Partner who isis free
                          free to
                                to do
                                   doso
                                      somay
                                        mayattendattendany
                                                        anymeeting
                                                            meeting
     of the Partnership Council,
                         Council, unless
                                    unless ititrules
                                                rulesotherwise
                                                      otherwisefor
                                                                for
     a particular occasion.
                  occasion. Non-Partners
                             Non-Partners may  may attend
                                                    attendonly
                                                           onlywith
                                                                with
     the President’s permission.
                     permission.

     Other representative bodies
25   There are three further levels of formal democratic
     engagement: Divisional Council, Forum and PartnerVoice.
                                                    PartnerVoice.
     The Partners’ Counsellor determines where they are
     established. The Partnership Council delegates to these
     representative bodies the task of holding the divisional,
                                                    divisional,
     regional and local management responsible for achieving
                                                       achieving
     Principle 1. Any
                  Anyconcerns
                      concernsmaymaybe
                                     beescalated
                                         escalatedthrough
                                                   throughthe
                                                            the
     Partnership Council to the Chairman.

26   Constituencies and
     Constituencies   andthethenumber
                                numberofofrepresentatives
                                           representativesare are
     determined, as
     determined,   as for
                       forthe
                           thePartnership
                               PartnershipCouncil,
                                            Council,bybythe
                                                          theTrustees
                                                               Trusteesofof
         Constitution. Divisional
     the Constitution.              Councilswill
                         Divisional Councils  willbe
                                                   beconsulted
                                                      consultedon  on
     proposals relating
     proposals relatingto totheir
                             theirconstituencies
                                   constituenciesand
                                                   andthe
                                                        theestablishing
                                                             establishing
        Forums.
     of Forums.

27   PartnerVoice selections are held every two years and Forum
     elections every three years, with every Partner in the
     constituency entitled to vote. Divisional
                                     Divisional Councils
                                                Councils are
                                                          are elected
                                                              elected
     every three years by and from their Forums; where no Forum
     is established, representatives are elected by all Partners in the
     constituency.

28           representativebodies
     These representative      bodiesmeet
                                        meetwhenever
                                               whenevertheytheywish,
                                                                  wish,but
                                                                        butatat
           four times
     least four  times aa year,
                           year,and
                                 andwhen
                                      whenthetheTrustees
                                                   Trusteesofofthe
                                                                 the
     Constitution ask.
     Constitution   ask. Meetings taketake place
                                            place within
                                                    withinworking
                                                            workinghours
                                                                       hours
     whenever they
     whenever    they believe
                      believethat
                                thattotobebenecessary.
                                             necessary.AllAllrepresentatives
                                                              representatives
     formally commit
     formally  commit to  tofulfil
                             fulfiltheir
                                    theirrole
                                           roletotothe
                                                    thebest
                                                        bestofoftheir
                                                                 theirability
                                                                        ability
          with the
     and with   the best
                    best interests
                           interestsofofthe
                                         thePartnership
                                              Partnershipininmind.
                                                                 mind.

     14
Rules

29    The Partnership’s management
                          management encourages
                                         encourages and andsupports
                                                            supports
                              especially by
      these representatives, especially  by ensuring
                                            ensuringtheytheyhave
                                                             have
      sufficient time to
                      to carry
                         carry out
                               out their
                                    theirduties.
                                          duties.ItItalso
                                                      alsoprovides
                                                           provides
                             and administrative
      appropriate facilities and administrative support,
                                                   support,asasititdoes
                                                                    does
      for the
          Partnership  Council
              Partnership       (Rule
                           Council     17).17).
                                     (Rule

30    The Partners’ Counsellor
                     Counsellor isis responsible
                                     responsible for
                                                  forthe
                                                      thedevelopment
                                                          development
      of detailed guidelines
                  guidelines for
                             for all
                                 all representative
                                      representativebodies.
                                                      bodies.

31-   Deleted
37

      The Partnership Board

38    The Partnership
            PartnershipBoard
                         Boardisisthetheboard
                                          boardofof   directors
                                                    directors   of of
                                                                   JohnJohn   Lewis
                                                                          Lewis
      Partnership plc. The
                         The Board
                               Board hashas ultimate
                                              ultimateresponsibility
                                                         responsibility
                     major policy
      for issues of major  policy andand for
                                           forallocating
                                                allocatingthe thefinancial
                                                                  financial
      and other resources
                  resources of
                             of the
                                  the business.
                                       business.ItItdecides
                                                      decidesthe the
      Partnership’s policy for
                             for the
                                   the prudent
                                        prudent and andadequate
                                                         adequatefinancing
                                                                       financing
      and development of its  its business,
                                   business, andandmonitors
                                                     monitorsits itsefficient
                                                                     efficient
      implementation. It takes
                            takes responsibility
                                    responsibility for for preparing
                                                           preparingfinancial
                                                                          financial
      statements, which must
                          must givegive aa full
                                            full and
                                                  andfair
                                                      fairview
                                                            viewofofthe
                                                                      thestate
                                                                           state
      of affairs of the
                    the company.
                        company.

39    In exercising this
                    this responsibility,
                         responsibility, the
                                          the Partnership
                                              PartnershipBoard:
                                                          Board:

      (i) approves
             approves the
                       the Partnership
                            Partnership Strategy
                                         Strategyas
                                                  aswell
                                                    wellasasthe
                                                             the
             Partnership’s Business
            Partnership’s   Business Plan
                                      Planand
                                           andthose
                                                thoseof
                                                      ofthe
                                                         thedivisional
                                                              divisional
             managementboards
            management      boardsand
                                   andCorporate;
                                         Corporate;
             delegatesresponsibility
      (ii) delegates    responsibilityfor
                                       forthe
                                           themanagement
                                               managementand   and
             development    of the Partnership’s  core businesses
            development of the Partnership’s core businesses
             tothe
            to  thedivisional
                    divisionalmanagement
                               managementboards;
                                              boards;
             approvesand
      (iii) approves   andmonitors
                             monitorsthe
                                       thePartnership’s
                                           Partnership’srevenue
                                                          revenue
             andcapital
            and   capitalspending;
                          spending;

      15
Rules

    (iv) determines
(iv)determines      each each       yearamount
                             year the    the amount
                                                  of the ofPartnership’s
                                                            the Partnership’sprofits
           profits be
    that should     thatreserved
                            should be forreserved    for the maintenance
                                          the maintenance        and           and
           development
    development        of theofPartnership’s
                                   the Partnership’s     business,
                                                  business,          and thus
                                                               and thus         the
                                                                           the rate
           ratePartnership
    at which     at which Partnership
                                   Bonus may Bonus     may be paid;
                                                 be paid;
    (v) ensures that the Partnership pays its debts promptly, and
(v) ensuresdoes   notthe
               that    enter     into undertakings
                            Partnership                 which
                                           pays its debts        would prevent
                                                              promptly,           it
                                                                           and does
           frominto
    not enter     making       all payments
                        undertakings           immediately
                                           which                they become
                                                    would prevent      it       due;
    (vi) examines
           from making    andallapproves
                                   paymentseach   year the size
                                               immediately     theyand   security
                                                                      become   due;
           of the Partnership’s
    (vi) examines         and approves liquid  reserves
                                            each          andsize
                                                   year the     unused
                                                                    and security
           borrowing
           of              facilities; liquid reserves and unused
               the Partnership’s
    (vii) borrowing
           approves cash        and profit forecasts sufficiently far ahead
                           facilities;
           to satisfy itself
    (vii) approves       cash that
                                 and the  Partnership
                                      profit              is not overreaching
                                             forecasts sufficiently      far ahead
           its satisfy
           to  financial      and
                        itself     personnel
                                that            resources;
                                      the Partnership      is not overreaching
    (vii) its
           satisfies   itselfand
               financial       thatpersonnel
                                     proper systems     of audit and control
                                                resources;
           are in place
    (viii) satisfies  itselfthroughout
                               that properthe    Partnership;
                                              systems   of audit and control
    (ix) considers
           are in place  anythroughout
                                proposal that
                                            theplaces    12 or more
                                                  Partnership;    Rules Partners
           at potential
    (ix) considers        anyrisk of redundancy,
                                proposal   that placeseither  as part
                                                          12 or   moreofPartners
                                                                           the
           Business
           at          Plan
               potential        or of
                             risk   onredundancy,
                                       a case by case    basis;as part of the
                                                      either
    (x) Business
           approves Plan the Chairman’s
                                or on a casepay;by case basis;
    (xi)
    (x) approves the Chairman’s nominee       pay;        to succeed him
           on his retirement.
    (xi) approves       the Chairman’s nominee to succeed him
           on his retirement.

40   Any three ofof the
                    the members
                        members appointed
                                     appointedto     tothe
                                                         theBoard
                                                             Boardafter
                                                                     after
     election by the
                  the Partnership
                      Partnership Council
                                       Councilmay  mayseekseekthe
                                                               theCouncil’s
                                                                    Council’s
     opinion on any
                  any proposal
                       proposal that
                                   that comes
                                          comesto  tothetheBoard
                                                            Boardand,
                                                                    and in
                                                                         in
     particular, when itit considers
                           considers aa proposal
                                           proposalunder underRule
                                                                Rule39 39(ix).
                                                                          (ix).
     However the Chairman
                     Chairman may may prevent
                                        prevent aareference
                                                       referenceto tothe
                                                                      the
     Council under Rule
                      Rule 3939 (iii)
                                 (iii) or
                                       or(vii)
                                           (vii)ififititwould
                                                         wouldsignificantly
                                                                significantly
     damage the interests
                   interests of
                              of an
                                 an organisation
                                      organisationor     oran
                                                            anindividual
                                                               individual
     outside the Partnership.
                  Partnership.

     16
Rules

The Chairman

41   The Chairman must ensureensure that
                                      that the
                                            the Partnership
                                                 Partnershipdevelops
                                                               develops
     its distinctive character
                     character and
                                and its
                                      its democratic
                                          democraticvitality.
                                                       vitality.He
                                                                He
     is the Chairman of of the
                           the Partnership
                                Partnership Board,
                                               Board,bybyvirtue
                                                           virtueofofhis
                                                                      his
     appointment as Chairman
                       Chairman of   of John
                                         John Lewis
                                              LewisPartnership
                                                     PartnershipTrust
                                                                    Trust
     Limited. He nominates
                    nominates his
                                his successor
                                     successor ininaccordance
                                                    accordancewithwiththe
                                                                        the
     Articles of Association
                  Association of
                               of John
                                   John Lewis
                                          Lewis Partnership
                                                PartnershipTrust
                                                              TrustLimited.
                                                                     Limited.

42   As the senior executive
                   executive in
                              in the
                                  the Partnership,
                                      Partnership,he
                                                   heisisultimately
                                                          ultimately
     responsible for its
                     its commercial
                         commercial performance.
                                       performance. HeHeappoints
                                                          appointsthethe
     members of the Chairman’s
                       Chairman’s Committee
                                    Committee which
                                                 whichcoordinates
                                                        coordinates
     executive responsibility in
                              in the
                                  the Partnership,
                                       Partnership,and
                                                    andthe
                                                         theviews
                                                              viewsof
                                                                    of
     principal management.

43   On taking office,
                office, the
                        the Chairman
                            Chairman makes
                                         makesaawritten
                                                  writtenundertaking
                                                          undertaking
     to the Partnership Council,
                          Council, as
                                   as follows,
                                       follows,that:
                                                that:

     (i) hehe will uphold the Constitution and work to the utmost
          of his energy and ability for the fulfilment
                                              fulfilment of the
          Partnership’s Principles;
     (ii) while
           while in office             accept any
                    office he will not accept     any paid
                                                      paid employment
                                                             employment
          or any other position ofof official
                                     official responsibility,
                                               responsibility,either
                                                                 either
          public or private, without the
                                       the agreement
                                            agreement of    ofthe
                                                               theTrustees
                                                                   Trustees
          of the Constitution (who actact on
                                           on behalf
                                               behalf of ofthe
                                                            thePartnership
                                                                 Partnership
          Council and must inform
                              inform the
                                       the Council
                                           Council of  of their
                                                           their agreement);
                                                                 agreement);
     (iii)he
     (iii) he will be impartial and reticent in in political
                                                    political and
                                                               and other
                                                                    other
          matters
           matters which do not directly concern
                                            concern the the Partnership
                                                             Partnership
          and which may be controversial;
     (iv) he has not sought and will
                                   will not
                                        not seek
                                             seek any
                                                    anyreturn
                                                          returnororfavour
                                                                     favour
          for himself or anyone else
                                  else either
                                        either inin his
                                                    hisappointment
                                                         appointmentas   as
          Chairman, or in the nomination
                                 nomination of  of his
                                                    his successor,
                                                         successor,ororin
                                                                        in
          the exercise of his authority.
                               authority.

     17
Rules

44 The
The     Chairman must ensure
    Chairman          ensure that
                              that the
                                    the system
                                         systemfor
                                                fordeciding
                                                    deciding
     the pay and benefits
                     benefits of of individual
                                     individual Partners
                                                     Partnersisisfair.
                                                                    fair.
41   The Chairman must ensure that the Partnership develops
45   In carrying
     its           out
         distinctive     his
                          his duties
                       characterduties
                                     andthe
                                         theitsChairman
                                               Chairman
                                                democratic  will:
                                                             will:
                                                                vitality. He
     is the Chairman of the Partnership Board, by virtue of his
     (i) actively seek
     appointment            to share power
                       as Chairman         of Johnwith  his subordinates,
                                                      Lewis   Partnership Trust
           delegating
     (i) actively
     Limited.   Heseek   as  much
                           to sharehis
                     nominates        responsibility
                                        power     with his
                                           successor      and
                                                         in    encouraging
                                                             subordinates,
                                                            accordance       with the
           as much
          delegating
     Articles         initiative
                         as much
               of Association      asresponsibility
                                   of  possible.
                                       John    LewisHowever,     he retains
                                                          and encouraging
                                                       Partnership     Trust Limited.
           personal
          as           responsibility
              much initiative              for ensuring
                                   as possible.     However,thathetheretains
                                                                        decisions
42         of others
          personal     do  not   put
                      responsibility   at  risk
                                           for   the  long-term
                                                ensuring    that
     As the senior executive in the Partnership, he is ultimately   security
                                                                   the         of the
                                                                        decisions
           Partnership,
          of othersfor
     responsible            and
                       doitsnot   that   they   are  consistent
                                 put at riskperformance.
                              commercial         the long-termHe   with   the
                                                                     security   of the
                                                                         appoints    the
           democratic
     members     of the principles
          Partnership,      and that they
                           Chairman’s     of Committee
                                              the
                                                arePartnership;
                                                     consistent
                                                             whichwith     the
                                                                      coordinates
     (ii) democratic
           acceptresponsibility
     executive     as fully   as possible
                          principles in of     the
                                          thethe   recommendations
                                                   Partnership;
                                                Partnership,                 of theof
                                                                 and the views
     (ii)  Partnership
          accept  as       Council.
                       fully
     principal management.    as        Before
                                  possible     therejecting    any,
                                                    recommendations  he   mustof the
           consult  the   Partnership       Board;
          Partnership Council. Before rejecting any, he must
43   (iii)taking
     On    maintain
          consult   theopen
                  office,       communication
                          Partnership
                             the  Chairman  Board;makeswitha Partners     at all levels,
                                                             written undertaking
           who  for
     (iii)maintain   their
                       open  part  have     a
                                communication  duty
     to the Partnership Council, as follows, that:   to inform
                                                       with       him
                                                             Partners    of
                                                                          atanything
                                                                             all levels,
           he reasonably
          who   for their partshould
                                   have know.
                                            a duty to inform him of anything
              reasonably
     (i) he will  uphold should         know.
                               the Constitution        and work to the utmost
          of his energy and ability for the fulfilment of the
          Partnership’s Principles;
     (ii) while in office he will not accept any paid employment
          or any other position of official responsibility, either
          public or private, without the agreement of the Trustees
          of the Constitution (who act on behalf of the Partnership
          Council and must inform the Council of their agreement);
     (iii)he will be impartial and reticent in political and other
          matters which do not directly concern the Partnership
          and which may be controversial;
     (iv) he has not sought and will not seek any return or favour
          for himself or anyone else either in his appointment as
          Chairman, or in the nomination of his successor, or in
          the exercise of his authority.

     17
     18
Rules

     Section 2 – Partners’ rights
     and responsibilities
     Happiness of members
46   Because the Partnership
                  Partnership isis their
                                    their own
                                           ownbusiness,
                                                business,Partners
                                                            Partnersmustmust
     be aware of all
                 all its
                      its principles,
                          principles, do
                                       dotheir
                                           theirbest
                                                 bestfor
                                                      forititand
                                                              andhelp
                                                                  help
     each other to fulfil
                    fulfil their
                            their duties
                                  duties and
                                          andresponsibilities
                                               responsibilitiestotoit.it.

47   All Partners, especially managers, have a responsibility
                                                          other’s
     to be imaginative and energetic in promoting each other’s
     wellbeing and to recognise the importance of aa healthy
                                                     healthy
                                        Partnership and
     balance between the needs of the Partnership   and the
                                                         the
     personal life of Partners.

48   Working conditions for
                          for Partners
                              Partners must
                                       must be
                                            becomfortable
                                               comfortable
     and businesslike but
                      but not
                           not luxurious.
                                luxurious.

     Relationships
49   Partners must be scrupulously
                      scrupulously honest
                                    honest inin their
                                                their dealings
                                                      dealings withwiththethe
     Partnership and with
                      with each
                           each other,
                                 other, and
                                        and never
                                             never seek
                                                    seek to
                                                          to gain
                                                             gain from
                                                                     from
     the Partnership any more
                         more than
                                than they
                                     they sincerely
                                           sincerely believe
                                                      believe isis fair.
                                                                    fair.

50   Partners must respect and be courteous to each other and
     to anyone else with whom they have dealings on behalf of the
     Partnership. The Partnership will do all it can to encourage
     good personal relationships between Partners
                                          Partners atat all levels.
                                                            levels.

51   Information is the basis
                         basis of
                               of democratic
                                  democraticparticipation.
                                              participation.
     So the Partnership aims
                          aims for
                                for openness,
                                    openness,tolerance
                                              toleranceand
                                                         andfreedom
                                                             freedom
     to express criticism,
                criticism, questions
                           questions and
                                      and suggestions
                                           suggestions(even
                                                       (evenatatthe
                                                                 the
     risk of controversy).
             controversy).

52   Partners should encourage
                     encourage each
                                each other
                                      other and
                                             andgive
                                                 givepraise
                                                      praise
     and recognition for
                     for exceptional
                         exceptional effort.
                                     effort.

     19
Rules

     Employment conditions
53   The Partnership seeks to recruit
                                 recruit only
                                         only those
                                              those who
                                                    who share
                                                        share its
                                                               its values
                                                                   values
     and will contribute to its success.
                                success.

54   The Partnership takes no account of age, sex, marital
                                                      marital status,
                                                              status,
     sexual orientation, ethnic origin, social position or religious
     or political views.

55   The Partnership employs
                      employs disabled
                               disabled people
                                        people ininsuitable
                                                    suitable
     vacancies and offers
                   offers them
                          them appropriate
                                appropriate training
                                             trainingand
                                                       andcareers.
                                                            careers.

56   The Partnership encourages
                      encourages Partners
                                    Partners to
                                              to fulfil
                                                  fulfiltheir
                                                         theirpotential
                                                               potential
                  their career
     and increase their career satisfaction
                               satisfaction in
                                             inthe
                                                thePartnership,
                                                      Partnership,by:
                                                                    by:

     (i) promoting
           promoting Partners
                       Partners of suitable ability;
     (ii) encouraging
           encouragingchanges
                         changesof ofresponsibility;
                                      responsibility;
     (iii)providing
     (iii) providing knowledge
                      knowledge and
                                  and access to training to help
                                                             help them
                                                                  them
          carry  out their responsibilities  better;
           carry out their responsibilities better;
     (iv) encouraging their personal development
                                          development and
                                                       and interests
                                                            interests in
                                                                       in
          fields not directly related to
                                       to their
                                           their work.
                                                 work.

57   No Partnership contract
                     contract of
                              of employment
                                 employment will
                                             willhave
                                                 haveaanotice
                                                        notice
     period longer than
                   than 12
                        12 months,
                           months, unless
                                    unlessthe
                                           thePartnership
                                               Partnership
     Board agrees.

58   Every Partner is free
                       free to
                             to belong
                                belong to
                                        toaatrade
                                             tradeunion,
                                                    union,although
                                                            althoughifif
     there is conflict
              conflict between
                       between aa trade
                                   trade union
                                          unionand
                                                 andthethePartnership
                                                           Partnership
     those concerned must
                        must consider
                               consider carefully
                                         carefully their
                                                    theirresponsibilities
                                                          responsibilities
     as Partners.

59   A Partner’s performance
                  performance isis reviewed
                                   reviewed with
                                            withhim
                                                 himby
                                                     byhis
                                                        hismanager
                                                           manager
     at least once aa year.
                      year.

60   The personal records
                    records and
                             and details
                                 details of
                                         ofPartners
                                            Partnersare
                                                     aremade
                                                        made
     available only to those
                       those who
                              who are
                                  are properly
                                       properlyauthorised
                                                authorised
     to see them.

     20
Rules

     Pay
61 The Partnership sets
                   sets pay
                        pay ranges
                            ranges which
                                   whichare
                                         areinformed
                                             informedby
                                                      bythe
                                                         the
     market and which are
                        are sufficient
                            sufficient to
                                        toattract
                                           attractand
                                                   andretain
                                                        retainhigh
                                                               high
     calibre people. Each
                     Each Partner
                          Partner isis paid
                                       paidaacompetitive
                                               competitiverate
                                                            ratefor
                                                                  for
     good performance andand as
                              as much
                                 much above
                                         above that
                                                thatas
                                                     ascan
                                                        canbebejustified
                                                                justified
     by better performance.
               performance. Partnership
                              Partnership Bonus
                                            Bonus isisnot
                                                       nottaken
                                                           takeninto
                                                                   into
     account when fixing pay
                          pay rates.
                               rates.

62   Pay rates must be decided with such care
                                          care that
                                               that ifif they
                                                         they were
                                                              were
                                              scrutiny. Managers
     made public each would pass the closest scrutiny.     Managers
     are responsible for ensuring that Partners are paid fairly inin
     comparison with others who make a similar contribution.

63   The pay of the
                 the highest
                     highest paid
                             paid Partner
                                   Partnerwill
                                           willbe
                                                beno
                                                   nomore
                                                     morethan
                                                           than
     75 times the average
                   average basic
                           basic pay
                                 pay of
                                      ofnon-management
                                        non-managementPartners,
                                                          Partners,
     calculated on an hourly
                       hourly basis.
                               basis.

64   Partners in exceptional
                 exceptional need
                              need may
                                     may receive
                                          receivefinancial
                                                 financialassistance,
                                                           assistance,
     normally through the
                        the Partnership
                            Partnership Council
                                          Council or
                                                   orDivisional
                                                     Divisional
     Councils, but also directly
                        directly from
                                  from management.
                                       management.

     Security of employment
65   The Partnership aims
                      aims to
                           to offer
                              offer secure
                                     secureemployment
                                             employmentto     toits
                                                                 its
     members, and will therefore
                        therefore give
                                   give all
                                        allthe
                                            thehelp
                                                  helpititreasonably
                                                           reasonably
     can to any Partner
                Partner who
                        who has
                             has difficulties
                                  difficultiesatatwork.
                                                   work.

66   Recognising that five
                       five years
                            years isis aa milestone
                                          milestonefor  foraaPartner,
                                                              Partner,
     this should be recognised
                    recognised in in anan appropriate
                                           appropriateway  waybybythe
                                                                    the
     Partnership. A Partner
                     Partner with
                              with more
                                     more thanthanfivefiveyears’
                                                          years’
     membership will bebe encouraged,
                           encouraged, ifif his hisperformance
                                                    performance
     remains satisfactory, to
                           to develop
                              develop his  his skills
                                                skillsso
                                                       sothat
                                                          thathe
                                                               hemaymay
     continue in the Partnership
                      Partnership for for all
                                           allhis
                                               hisworking
                                                    workinglife.
                                                              life.

67   The Partnership will not retain any Partner who cannot
     contribute satisfactorily.

     21
Rules

68   The Partnership will
                      will not
                           not retain
                               retain any
                                      anyPartner
                                          Partnerin
                                                  inaaposition
                                                       position
                 longer required.
     which is no longer required.

     If a particular position
                      position becomes
                                 becomes redundant,
                                             redundant,the thePartnership
                                                                Partnershipwill
     will
     make make   all reasonable
            all reasonable  effortsefforts  to provide
                                       to provide        the Partner
                                                   the Partner    in in
     it with continued suitable
                          suitable employment
                                     employment in   inthe
                                                        thePartnership,
                                                             Partnership,
     although this may be  be in
                               in aa different
                                     differenttype
                                                typeofofwork
                                                          workand
                                                                andthe
                                                                     the
     Partner’s performance must  must continue
                                         continue toto be
                                                       besatisfactory.
                                                           satisfactory.

     If continued employment
                  employment isis impossible,
                                   impossible, he
                                               hewill
                                                  willbe
                                                       beentitled
                                                          entitledtoto
     payment according to
                        to scales
                           scales agreed
                                   agreed by
                                          bythe
                                             theDirector
                                                  Directorof
                                                           of
     Personnel and the appropriate
                       appropriate Partnership
                                     Partnership Council
                                                  Council
     committee.

     Grievances and appeals
69   A Partner who is is unhappy
                         unhappy oror has
                                      hasaagrievance
                                            grievanceatatwork
                                                          workhas
                                                               has
     the right to raise
                  raise the
                         the matter
                             matter in
                                     inaccordance
                                        accordancewith
                                                    withthe
                                                          the
     Partnership’s Grievance Procedures.
                                 Procedures. Details
                                              Details of
                                                      ofthese
                                                         these
     procedures are available
                       available from
                                 from the
                                       the appropriate
                                           appropriatepersonnel
                                                         personnel
     department and in the the Partner
                               Partner Handbook.
                                        Handbook.

70   Any Partner may appeal
                        appeal to
                                to the
                                    the Partners’
                                        Partners’Counsellor’s
                                                    Counsellor’sOffice
                                                                  Office
                        If the
     against dismissal. If the Partners’
                               Partners’ Counsellor,
                                           Counsellor,or ordelegated
                                                            Deputy
     Partners’
     authority, Counsellor,  judges the
                judges the dismissal      dismissal
                                       to be         to to
                                              contrary  be the
                                                            contrary to
     the Partnership’s
     Partnership’s      principles,
                   principles,        he intervene
                                he will   will intervene  accordingly.
                                                     accordingly.

     A Partner with more
                    more than
                           than five
                                 five years’
                                       years’service
                                              servicewho
                                                      whofaces
                                                            faces
     dismissal must be told
                       told that
                             that he
                                  he first
                                      firsthas
                                           hasthe
                                                theright
                                                    rightofofappeal
                                                              appealtoto
     the Partners’ Counsellor’s
                   Counsellor’s Office.
                                  Office.

71   In addition, no Partner
                      Partner who
                              who isis or
                                       orhas
                                           hasbeen
                                                beenon  onone
                                                            oneofofthe
                                                                    the
     Partnership’s democratic bodies
                               bodies in  in the
                                              the last
                                                   last12
                                                        12months
                                                           monthsmay may
     be dismissed without
                   without specific
                           specific agreement
                                     agreement as    asfollows:
                                                        follows;

     (i) Partnership
          Partnership Board:
                      Board: the
                              the Chairman;
                                  Chairman;
     (ii) Partnership Council,
                      Council, or
                                or one
                                   one of
                                        ofits
                                           itscommittees:
                                               committees:
          the President of the Council;
                               Council;
     22
Rules

     (iii)A
     (iii) A Divisional
             Divisional Council
                        Council,or  Localor
                                  Forum   Forum,  or one of
                                            PartnerVoice,  ortheir
                                                              one of
          committees:   the Divisional
           their committees:           Registrar
                             the Partners’       or the or
                                            Counsellor  Deputy
          Partners’
           delegatedCounsellor
                     authority. as appropriate.

72   The relevant Partnership
                    Partnership oror Divisional
                                     Divisional Council
                                                 Councilcommittee
                                                         committee
                  informed of
     is regularly informed  of trends
                                trends in
                                        in the
                                            thereasons
                                                reasonswhy
                                                        whyPartners
                                                            Partners
     leave the Partnership,
                Partnership, so
                             so they
                                 they can
                                      can question
                                            questionmanagement
                                                     managementon on
     any trends that may
                      may cause
                          cause concern.
                                   concern.

     Amenities and social activities
73   The Partnership provides amenities that it believes will be
                                                       happiness,
     welcome to individual Partners and will promote happiness,
     a sense of community and the Partnership’s reputation.

74   In its expenditure on
                         on amenities
                            amenities the
                                       thePartnership
                                            Partnershipwill
                                                         willnot
                                                              not
     confine itself to things
     confine          things that
                              that may
                                   may be
                                        beprovided
                                           providedinexpensively,
                                                     inexpensively,but
                                                                    but
     will be open-minded
             open-minded and
                           and ready
                                ready to
                                       to provide
                                          providethings
                                                   thingsthat
                                                          that
     may offer exceptional
                exceptional opportunities
                             opportunities for
                                            for only
                                                onlyaaminority
                                                       minority
     of Partners.

     Pensions
75   The Partnership offers
                        offers pensions
                                pensions to
                                          to Partners
                                               Partnersbased
                                                         basedon ontheir
                                                                    theirrate
                                                                           rate
     of pay, length of
                    of service
                        service and
                                 and working
                                      workinghours.
                                                 hours.Pensions
                                                         Pensionsareareset
                                                                        setatat
     a level which the
                   the Partnership
                         Partnership Council
                                       Counciljudges
                                                  judgeswill,
                                                          will,taking
                                                                taking
     account of state pensions,
                       pensions, enable
                                    enable those
                                            thosePartners
                                                    Partnerswho
                                                              whohave
                                                                    have
     spent most or all
                    all of
                         of their
                             their working
                                   workinglives
                                             livesin
                                                   inthe
                                                      thePartnership
                                                          Partnership
     to provide for their
                    their needs
                            needs during
                                    during retirement.
                                            retirement.

76   The Pension Management Committee is a sub-committee of the
     Trustee Board and has delegated authority to administer the
     Pension Scheme in accordance with the Scheme Rules.
                                                    Rules.

     Pensions may be supplemented by the management
                                           management with
                                                      with
     the consent of the Director
                        Director of
                                 of Personnel.
                                    Personnel.

     23
Rules

     Journalism
77   The Partnership publishes
                        publishes in-house
                                    in-house journals,
                                                journals,which
                                                          whichcover
                                                                 cover
                    the Partnership
     the affairs of the Partnership both
                                       bothcentrally
                                              centrallyand
                                                        andlocally.
                                                            locally.
     They rely upon intelligent
                       intelligent cooperation
                                   cooperation fromfromPartners,
                                                         Partners,
     and a determination
            determination on on the
                                 the part
                                      part of
                                           ofmanagement
                                               managementto   toshare
                                                                 share
     as much information
               information with
                              with Partners
                                   Partners as aspossible.
                                                  possible.

78   The purpose of these
                     these journals
                            journals isis open
                                          openand
                                                andresponsible
                                                     responsible
     communication, to encourage
                          encourage well-informed
                                       well-informed andandfair
                                                             fair
     opinion among Partners
                     Partners about
                               about their
                                        their business.
                                              business.The
                                                         Thejournals
                                                              journals
     should be interesting
               interesting and
                            and enjoyable
                                 enjoyable as aswell
                                                wellasasuseful,
                                                         useful,
     but should not attempt
                    attempt toto duplicate
                                 duplicatenon-Partnership
                                              non-Partnership
     publications. They should
                         should not
                                 not comment
                                      comment on  oncontroversial
                                                      controversial
     matters unconnected with
                            with the
                                  the Partnership.
                                      Partnership.

79   The Chairman takes a close personal
                                  personal interest
                                            interest in
                                                      in whether
                                                         whether
     the journals are fully meeting
                            meeting the
                                    the objectives
                                        objectives of
                                                   of Rule
                                                       Rule 78.
                                                            78.

     The effectiveness of the
                           the journals
                                journals isis the
                                               theresponsibility
                                                   responsibilityof
                                                                  of
     the Director of Communications
                      Communications who   who must
                                                  mustensure
                                                       ensurethat
                                                               that
     the Chairman or thethe principal
                            principal director
                                        director concerned
                                                    concernedhashasan
                                                                    an
     opportunity to amend
                      amend oror exclude
                                  exclude any
                                            anycommercially
                                                  commerciallysensitive
                                                                 sensitive
     material. If the Director
                      Director of
                                of Communications
                                   Communicationsdisagrees
                                                         disagreeswith
                                                                    with
     the proposed amendment
                    amendment or   or exclusion,
                                      exclusion, he  hemust
                                                       musttake
                                                             takethe
                                                                   the
     matter to the Chairman.
                    Chairman.

80   The Partnership fosters
                        fosters lively
                                 lively correspondence
                                         correspondence in     in its
                                                                   its journalism,
                                                                        journalism,
     and any Partner may write, anonymously
                                      anonymously ifif he he wishes,
                                                              wishes, to  to the
                                                                              the
     journals. The Chairman
                    Chairman will will safeguard
                                        safeguard every
                                                      every Partner’s
                                                             Partner’sright,
                                                                           right,
     without fear of repercussions,
                      repercussions, to   to express
                                              express any
                                                        any views
                                                            views that
                                                                     that the
                                                                           the
     Chairman believes
                 believes are
                          are held
                               held in in aa spirit
                                             spirit of
                                                    of genuine
                                                        genuine loyalty
                                                                   loyalty to to the
                                                                                  the
     Partnership, however
                   however ill
                             ill advised
                                 advised those
                                             those views
                                                     views may
                                                           may seem,
                                                                 seem, but but hehe
     may edit the contents of or withhold
                                      withhold fromfrom publication
                                                          publication aa letter
                                                                             letter
     that is personally abusive    or defamatory.
                         abusive or defamatory.

     24
Rules

81   A letter to aa Partnership
                     Partnership journal
                                    journal must
                                               mustbe beacknowledged
                                                         acknowledged
     in the journal as as soon
                          soon asas possible
                                     possibleandandmust
                                                      mustbe
                                                           bepublished,
                                                              published,
     with any comment from  from thethe appropriate
                                          appropriatemember
                                                         memberof  of
     management, within 21     21 days
                                   days ofof the
                                              the acknowledgement.
                                                   acknowledgement.
     If it is not,
              not, the
                   the correspondent
                       correspondent may    maysend
                                                 sendaacopy
                                                          copytotoaaTrustee
                                                                     Trustee
     of the Constitution
              Constitution who,
                              who, ifif he
                                        he judges
                                            judgesthat
                                                     thatpublication
                                                          publication
     is of advantage to to the
                           the Partnership,
                                Partnership,may  mayrecommend
                                                       recommendto    tothe
                                                                         the
     Chairman that the letterletter must
                                     must be be published
                                                publishedimmediately.
                                                            immediately.

     The Partners’ Counsellor
82   The Partners’ Counsellor
                       Counsellor seeks
                                    seeks to
                                           to ensure
                                               ensurethat
                                                       thatthe
                                                            thePartnership
                                                                 Partnership
                    principles and
     is true to its principles  and compassionate
                                     compassionateto  toindividual
                                                          individualPartners.
                                                                     Partners.
     He will watch closely
                      closely the
                               the effect
                                   effect on
                                          onthem
                                               themofofthe
                                                         theapplication
                                                             application
     of the Partnership’s Rules
                             Rules and
                                     and other
                                          other instructions,
                                                 instructions,andandalso
                                                                     also
     whether these are properly       applied.  He  will be a member
                           properly applied. He will be a member
     of the Partnership Council
                           Council andand of
                                           of the
                                               thePartnership
                                                   PartnershipBoard.
                                                                  Board.

83   The Partners’ Counsellor
                    Counsellor hashas responsibility
                                       responsibilityforforthe
                                                            the
     independence, health and      effectiveness  of  the Partnership’s
                              and effectiveness of the Partnership’s
     elected representative bodies.
                              bodies. He
                                       He has
                                           has the
                                                theright
                                                     righttotoattend
                                                               attendany
                                                                      any
     meeting of any ofof the
                         the Partnership’s
                             Partnership’srepresentative
                                             representativebodies
                                                                bodiesand
                                                                       and
     will accept any reasonable
                     reasonable invitation
                                  invitation to
                                              tomeet
                                                  meetthem
                                                         themto toshare
                                                                   share
     information or to discuss
                         discuss any
                                 any matter
                                      matterthat
                                              thatseriously
                                                    seriouslyconcerns
                                                                concerns
     their individual interests.
                      interests.

84   He may have access to the records of all present
                                              present and
                                                      and
     former Partners.

85   He will encourage confidence on the part of anyany Partner
                                                        Partner to
                                                                 to
     come to him and talk freely and
                                  and confidentially
                                      confidentially without
                                                      without fear
                                                              fear
     of repercussion unless the matter relates to that Partner’s
     involvement in a disciplinary or grievance procedure.
     He will also encourage such confidence in terms
                                                 terms of
                                                        of Partners
                                                           Partners
     approaching their Partnership
                        Registrar. Assurance Lead.

     25
Rules

     He must be completely
                  completely open
                             open with
                                   with the
                                         theChairman,
                                            Chairman,andandmust
                                                            must
     also tell him anything
                   anything which
                            which he
                                  he ought
                                      oughttotoknow
                                                knowfor
                                                     forthe
                                                         thegood
                                                             good
     of the Partnership.
            Partnership.

86   He must be alert to to anything
                            anything about
                                       about which
                                              which Partners
                                                     Partners might
                                                                  might
     reasonably complain, and immediately take steps     steps to
                                                               to put
                                                                  put
     it right. He will look out
                             out for,
                                 for, and
                                      and take
                                           take steps
                                                 steps to
                                                        tosecure,
                                                            secure,
     reasonable opportunities to improve Partners’ working   working
     conditions and amenities.

87                 Counsellor may
     The Partners’ Counsellor  may be
                                    be dismissed
                                       dismissed only
                                                 only with
                                                      with the
                                                            the
              agreement of
     specific agreement of the
                           the Trustees
                               Trustees of
                                        of the
                                           the Constitution.
                                               Constitution.

     Registry
88        Partners’ Counsellor
     The Partners'  Counsellor isis responsible
                                     responsibleforforelections
                                                       electionsto
                                                                 to
         Partnership’s representative
     the Partnership’s  representative bodies,
                                          bodies, in
                                                   in accordance
                                                      accordancewith
                                                                   with
                          Trustees of
     the decisions of the Trustees    of the
                                         the Constitution.
                                             Constitution.

89   He appoints Partnership
                   registrars to Assurance     Leads to of
                                  work as colleagues     work as colleagues
                                                           senior
     of senior management
     management     in all the in  all the Partnership’s
                               Partnership’s              operations,
                                                operations,  except where
     except
     the     where the
         Chairman        Chairman
                     decides          decides
                              otherwise.       otherwise.
                                            They           They have
                                                  have independent
     independent
     status         status
            within the     within the and
                        Partnership,     Partnership,  and arethrough
                                             are responsible   responsible
     through
     the       the Partners’
         Partners’  CounsellorCounsellor    to the Chairman
                                  to the Chairman              for ensuring
                                                      for ensuring  that
     thatPartnership’s
     the  the Partnership’s   principles
                         principles   and and   policies
                                           policies      are applied
                                                    are applied
     consistently in the branches where they  they work.
                                                   work.

90   Partnership
     Registrars    Assurance
                 must          Leads must
                       have a thorough      have a thorough
                                          knowledge      and     knowledge
     and  understanding
     understanding         of Constitution
                      of the  the Constitution
                                            and and    of relevant
                                                  of relevant
     precedents, and may have access
                                  access to
                                          to any
                                             any documents
                                                   documents within
                                                                 within
     the fields
         fields of work they
                         they cover.
                               cover. They
                                      They must
                                            must tell
                                                   tell the
                                                         the Partners’
                                                             Partners’
     Counsellor of any matter that seems
                                       seems to
                                              to them
                                                  them contrary
                                                          contrary to
                                                                    to the
                                                                        the
     Partnership’s Constitution or policies.

     26
You can also read