International recruitment business STR Group has awarded its 140-plus employees with a £500 cost-of-living bonus, and has introduced summer trading hours.
As of this month, the Cosham-based firm will allow its staff to finish at 2pm every Friday, with some of the team who work US hours able to move to a four-day working week in order to give them more time to spend with their families.
According to STR, this benefit was introduced in order to reflect the importance of spending time with friends and family, as well as enjoying the summer, while the £500 bonus payment was implemented to help with the rising cost of living.
Clive Hutching’s, executive director at STR Group, said: “Here at STR we’ve always changed with the times, whether it’s having the right tools to perform, the right environment to work in or award-winning recruitment training. The early finish Friday is an initiative that reflects our desire to support our staff with their own down time needs. Let’s enjoy the summer together.”
Martin Hodgkinson, learning and development consultant at STR Group, added: “I think the early finish on a Friday is a great idea. It works really well for me as I have two young children who I don’t get to see much in the week, so I will be spending some quality time with them on bike rides, in the garden and paddle boarding.”
The firm also offers flexible working, 23 days of holiday, plus bank holidays and birthdays, the chance to travel and work internationally, healthcare cash plans, and optional private health care.