DIY retailer B&Q is to roll out a higher hourly rate of pay of £11.31 and reduced break lengths from January 2024.
During the summer, the employer undertook a pilot in two stores to reduce the length of breaks while offering employees higher pay, with actual worked hours remaining the same. This will now be rolled out across all of its stores following positive feedback, and will offer one-to-one briefings to go through the new framework.
The £4 million investment would mean a full-time worker contracted to 39 hours per week would instead work 36 hours and 45 minutes and earn an additional £116.61 per annum.
According to the employer, it has implemented this to bring its approach in line with other large retailers.
A B&Q spokesperson said: “We’re committed to offering competitive wages and benefits for all of our colleagues, recognising the vital role they play in delivering a great experience for our customers every day. Our new policy, which has been welcomed by the vast majority of colleagues, ensures there is a fair break policy for all and means that no worker is worse off, allowing employees to spend less time at work for the same pay or be at work for the same hours for more pay.
“We continue to work with a very small number of staff with outstanding questions. The increase in hourly rate of pay in January is separate to our annual pay award, which is announced in February and comes into effect in April.”
B&Q offers its employees up to 25% off on self-paid gym memberships for them and their partners, medical benefits, additional annual leave and cash rewards to celebrate long service, access to a share scheme, life assurance, an employee assistance programme, a discount card, a bikes-for-work scheme, shopping discounts, flexible working and an eyecare voucher.