HIGH street firms have been handing out bonuses, pay rises and days off for hard-working staff.
Retailers are using this Christmas to say thank you to their employees for their efforts through the pandemic – so could you be in line for an extra reward?
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Here are the firms we’ve heard from so far:
Poundstretcher
Poundstretcher has announced a 10% pay rise for all staff who have worked at the discount shopper for more than a year.
The raise will come into effect on January 1.
It’s not clear whether that takes into account the minimum wage hike coming in April, or whether Poundstretcher staff will again see their pay packet fatten later in 2022.
The minimum wage for 21 and 22-year-olds is set to rise by 9.8% on April 1, while over-23s on the lowest legal pay rate will see their wages rise 6.6%.
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Poundstretcher co-owner Aziz Tayub said: “[We] have decided to reward our staff to show our deep appreciation for their ongoing hard work.”
Tayub’s company has more than 350 stores nationwide, employing over 6,000 people.
Lego
Meanwhile, Lego has said its 20,000 staff worldwide will get an extra three days off this Christmas.
Workers at Legoland Windsor and the firm’s 12 UK stores will get three additional days off before the new year.
They will also get an unspecified bonus in April 2022, it has said.
The Danish toy giant’s profits rocketed by 140% during the pandemic, with children and adults alike finding solace in Lego.
Aldi
Aldi has also said its shop staff will gain a further few pennies on their hourly wage rate, in a bid to compete with rival supermarkets for much-needed workers.
Aldi previously paid its workers £9.55 an hour, and £11.07 for those in London.
It’s pay hike will put it in line with Lidl’s £10.10 minimum pay rate outside London and £11.30 inside the M25.
Aldi boss Giles Hurley reminded shoppers the company is the only supermarket to pay its staff during their breaks.
The chief executive said: “We want to ensure our colleagues are always fully rewarded for their amazing work.”
The best of the rest
A number of other employers have also announced pay rises.
These include Ford, whose 220 Dagenham factory staff have accepted a 5.1% increase.
Meanwhile, luxury retailer Harrods will pay its hospitality staff up to a whopping 25% more in 2022.
Most of the store’s 4,000 workers will see their pay packets increase by some £5,000.
High street firms are battling to recruit the best talent as young people appear to be snubbing unwanted job opportunities.
Scores of UK employers have introduced four-day weeks to encourage people to apply.
Many have followed the lead of Durham finance firm Atom Bank, which last month became the biggest UK firm to have brought in the change.
I work in a supermarket and customers go MAD when they can’t use contactless
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