British telecommunications organisation BT has given 58,000 non-management employees in the UK a 1.5% pay rise, effective 1 July 2020.
The pay rise has been given to the employees in recognition of their hard work during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
BT also confirmed that no employee will lose their job within the next three months, and all of its employees will be paid in full during this time, including those who are currently self-isolating.
The organisation is also committing to giving £500 worth of shares to all of its employees in June. The scheme, starting at £50 million, will ensure that all BT employees become shareholders within the business.
In a further step to cut costs, BT will not give its managers their annual pay rises in 2020/21.
Philip Jansen, chief executive at BT has donated his salary to the business whilst it works through the crisis. Parts of his salary will also be donated to NHS Charities Together Covid-19.
Jansen said: "I have been extremely proud of the commitment shown by BT colleagues to support our customers in the last few weeks and want to recognise that. This is an unprecedented situation and I want to give our people some certainty about the months ahead. This period requires sacrifices from us all, and I want our people to know we are all in this together.”
"All the commitments I’ve laid out above are for all of you who have been there for our customers; made the extra call, completed the extra job, flexed your hours, changed roles to where you’re most needed. They are for all of you who have been there for your colleagues, happy to listen, sharing the load, keeping each other safe.
"BT has such incredible people, and every day we are all seeing just how amazing BT is in responding to a crisis. Our challenge is to always pull together and give our all, every day. We don’t need a crisis to be amazing."
