Publishing business Hachette UK has increased starting salaries and holiday benefits, and awarded staff a performance-related bonus and a cost-of-living payment.
Due to come into effect in January, UK and Ireland publishing and distribution employees have been given a non-consolidated £1,000 cost-of-living payment. Senior team members will not be eligible for the payment, which is in addition to a total of £1,000 in cost-of-living payments made over the past five months.
The firm has also committed to increase starting salaries from 1 January 2023 for entry-level roles in publishing functions, to £26,500 per annum for those in London and £23,850 per annum for those outside of the capital. The business invested £2 million in a pay review, to ensure the percentage increase reaches beyond entry-level roles.
Hachette gave all eligible employees a performance-related bonus this month, and increased holiday entitlement to 28 days, rising to 29 days after two years of service and 30 after five years.
Lisa Waterman, group HR director at Hachette UK, said: “We want to continue to attract the very best talent to our business and our new starting salary ensures that we continue to make strides with creating an inclusive workforce. As part of this holistic review, together with increasing our starting salaries, it is also critical our current staff feel the impact of this exercise.
“We are committed to supporting, retaining and investing in our talented staff – we know that our people are the most valuable resource – so the exceptional pay review will impact certain levels within the business in order to maintain salary differentials and recognise differences in role, levels of experience and contribution. Our increased holiday entitlement is designed to ensure our staff have the space to prioritise wellbeing and feel energised in life and at work.”
