Phone network provider Three UK has announced pay increases of up to 12.6% for its retail staff.
The firm, which has about 2,500 store workers, said it had boosted their minimum hourly rates to £10.13 nationwide and £11.40 in London from 1 January this year.
Applicable to all staff regardless of their age, these base hourly rates – which exclude bonuses – surpass the Living Wage Foundation’s real living wage of £9.90 across the UK and £11.05 in the capital.
Performance-related bonuses averaging 25% of base salary will continue to be paid but Three UK said the increase in base pay meant more guaranteed money for retail staff.
Three UK employees also benefit from perks such as private medical insurance, free flu vaccines and a free mobile device, or £200, every 18 months. Other benefits include discounts of up to 30% at health and beauty retailer Superdrug and an annual subscription to mental health app Headspace.
The phone network provider is undertaking a recruitment drive and has more than 100 vacancies in its stores. It is particularly looking to fill roles in central London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Elaine Carey, chief commercial officer at Three UK, explained that retail staff are at the core of the business, and said she was “delighted” to announce the base salary increase as a reward for their continued hard work, particularly throughout the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
“Now more than ever, good mobile connectivity is critical to how we all live and work, so it’s right that we reward the people who serve our customers day in, day out,” she said. “I’d like to thank all of my colleagues for their continuing contributions to our business and our goal of delivering better connectivity every day for every customer.”
The legal minimum pay for workers who are 23 or older, known as the national living wage, will rise to £9.50 per hour in April.