Contract caterer Compass Group has launched a salary advance scheme for its 50,000 British and Irish staff, to help in the face of financial hardship and a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
The advance option gives monthly salaried employees the ability to withdraw up to 50% of their earned pay before payday. They can make up to three withdrawals per pay cycle in addition to their normal pay.
Additionally, Compass Group relaunched its Helping Hands fund this month. Employees can receive funding on a grant basis to support with emergency or unexpected payments. Staff also have access to further financial wellbeing support through salary-linked products such as affordable loans, salary advances and financial education, in addition to free 24/7 medical and counselling support, and discounts for household shopping through its Perks at Work scheme.
Compass also began to pay the new real living wage rate to those it directly employs as of this month, and is working with its clients to ensure those on contracts move to the new rates in the coming weeks and months.
Robin Mills, managing director, UK and Ireland at Compass Group, said: “We are proud of our caring culture and are committed to supporting our people and the communities we serve during this difficult time. Working with our employees, we have put together a comprehensive support package to help our thousands of frontline workers over the coming months.
“As a food business, food is at the heart of all that we do. Therefore, where we serve food, we will be providing employees with access to a free meal during their shift, equating to approximately 200,000 meals a week. In the wider community, we are also extending our community food donation scheme to include hot meals. Ultimately, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people is always our top priority, so we urge any of our employees to reach out for our support if ever they need it.”
