Social care provider Praxis Care has introduced a new pay and benefits package for its 1,800 employees, as well as extending Covid-19 (Coronavirus) recognition payments to all.
According to the business, these initiatives are in recognition of the “challenging” labour market and a bid to attract and retain employees, with them varying across the four jurisdictions of Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man and England in which it operates.
While some Northern Irish staff qualify for a £500 payment from the Department of Health, the organisation will provide the payment to workers in all jurisdictions, with £500 for those working between 17 March 2020 and 31 January 2021, and £200 for those who joined after 1 February 2021.
It is also introducing a death in service benefit at double the salary, a doubling of the cycle to work scheme from £500 to £1,000, or €500 to €1,000 in Ireland, and salary advance software that allows employees to draw down their salary earned that month before their pay day if they experience unexpected bills.
For its 600 employees in the Republic of Ireland, there will be a pay restoration averaging a 4% in-year increase, as well as occupational sick pay and enhanced maternity pay. In the UK and Isle of Man, it has brought forward the annual pay increment by five months in recognition of the increasing cost of living, and has introduced a new UK pension provider.
In addition, a new fully funded health care programme will be launched to allow quick access to diagnostic tests, treatments and complimentary therapies.
Praxis Care HR and corporate services director Aidan Daly commented that the measures go some way to acknowledge the commitment of employees to the organisation and to the people they care for.
“We want to acknowledge the sacrifices and dedication of our staff and the immense effort they put into their work to support individuals directly or indirectly every day, particularly during the course of the pandemic. Praxis Care has put in place improved benefits for staff across all jurisdictions to improve their wellbeing and support them as they undertake some of the most important work in society,” he said.