They say there is no such thing as a free lunch.
This is certainly true for staff at the coffee chain Caffè Nero who will no longer be eligible for free food as the company attempts to mitigate costs of implementing the national living wage.
In a letter to staff the company said that because of government changes introduced earlier this month, which mean all staff must now be paid £7.20 an hour as opposed to £6.70, they would have to make changes in other areas of the business. Part of its these savings including staff being now entitled to a 65% discount on food, and a 75% discount on drinks, breaking away from the current system in which staff got certain food and drinks for free.
They’re not the only company making changes. A petition imploring B&Q not to use the living wage as an excuse to cut pay benefits, such as removal of double time for working bank holidays, now has more than 135,000 signatures.Morrisons is said to be also looking at getting rid of pay benefits, as are Wilko andTesco.
What other companies plan to make savings in other areas to afford the new national living wage? We want to hear about other companies who’ve already made (or plan to make) similar changes. Perhaps your free lunches have been axed too? Or maybe all staff hours have been reduced? Has your company put a halt on bonuses? Share your stories with us in the form below.
[“source-Business2community”]
