Care home business Greensleeves Care has given its 1,600 members of staff a minimum 10.1% pay rise as part of an £8.4 million investment.
Frontline employees will receive the increase in April. The investment was the biggest the firm has ever made for staff pay. It already pays at least the real living wage and the majority of its workers are paid above this.
Greensleeves Care also expanded its length of service awards, which already marked five, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years with the organisation, in order to recognise 50 years of service, as several employees are approaching this milestone.
Paul Newman, chief executive at Greensleeves Care, said: “Our people are, quite simply, our greatest asset. With the cost of living remaining a worry, we felt strongly that it was essential we made this investment to support and attract hard-working and committed staff across our growing family of homes.
“We are delighted the board agreed an increase that is well above the offer made to nurses and care workers in the NHS, and to recognise in this way the fundamental contribution of our teams in driving our ambitious strategy and charitable mission forward.
“Despite the unprecedented challenges everyone in the sector operates in, this support and reward package demonstrates Greensleeves’ commitment to attract, retain, support and develop the high calibre workers needed to deliver the excellent care our residents deserve.”
Greensleeves Care offers staff a lifestyle benefits programme, which includes money off high street retailers, supermarkets, visitor attractions and holidays, in order to support them further with financial pressures.
As part of its ongoing wellbeing support, all employees also have access to a free employee assistance programme (EAP), which provides telephone counselling and legal information, as well as access to mental health and wellbeing support.