Barton’s blog: Pay increases hit the headlines

This week we have seen many stories of employers making changes to their pay strategies, whether that is through pay rises or signing up to the real living wage pledge.

Travel firm Ocean Holidays Group is one of the latest organisations to become an accredited living wage employer, ensuring that its staff are paid a decent salary above minimum wage levels. Other employers, including Making Space, M&S and BMW Mini have announced basic pay increases for their employees. Amid the national cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by soaring energy bills and inflation, it is encouraging to see employers’ continuing recognition and support of staff.

It is also inspiring to see that menopause support continues to be an issue of importance for organisations. Royal Mail recently announced a new campaign to strengthen its support for workers affected by perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

Highlighting just how big a workplace issue this is, we had so many entries into our new Employee Benefits Awards category this year, Best Benefits to Support Menopause, Fertility or Pregnancy, from employers that have been making great strides in this area to help their staff. Judging of the awards is now firmly underway, and we look forward to celebrating our winners at the Employee Benefits Awards and Summer Party, which is set to be held in June this year.

Tynan Barton
Acting editor
Tweet: @tynanbartonEB