Tools, accessories and building supplies business Toolstation has increased pay by 9.4%, and introduced new benefits for its 5,500 members of staff.
The pay rise is for entry level and store and operations employees, with entry level workers’ hourly rate increasing to £10.60.
The retailer also introduced 26 weeks of full pay, followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay of maternity, adoption, or surrogacy leave, two weeks of paid paternity leave, one week of additional paid leave for both new parents for two years following a birth, two days of paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment or an IVF cycle, two weeks of paid leave for those affected by miscarriage, two days paid leave for affected partners, and up to 10 days additional leave during the first two years after a birth for emergencies.
Toolstation also implemented flexible working for staff that have worked for the business for a minimum of 13 weeks, a menopause policy that includes adjustments to assist affected staff, and a trans and gender reassignment policy that supports transitioning employees, provides single sex spaces and uses non-gendered terminology.
The retailer recently introduced the Aviva DigiCare+ app, which includes an annual health check, access to a digital GP, a second medical opinion, and mental health and nutritional consultations, as well as a trained mental-health first aiders network and a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP).
Jag Nagra, HR director at Toolstation, said: “We’re a business that cares about our staff and this investment recognises their hard work and is designed to support them with the rising costs they face. We have also introduced a series of policies designed to promote wellbeing and provide support for different life events. These initiatives are integral to our ambition to create a workplace that supports employees in moments that matter and may have an impact on their working lives.”