With one in four employees requesting a pay rise this year, some employers are looking beyond normal means and their regular annual pay reviews to help their employees cope with increases in the cost of living.

Both M&S and Sainsburys have pledged pay rises from 1st October.  Employees at Sainsbury’s and Argos will see their pay boosted from £10.00 to £10.25 p/h and from £11.05 to £11.30 p/h in London. Marks & Spencer will raise its minimum hourly wage to £10.20 p/h which is in addition to a pay rise issued earlier this year from £9.50 to £10 p/h.

M&S staff are already entitled to a number of benefits including free everyday food items and sanitary products all-year round but will also give a £250 voucher to 4,500 store and support centre workers and staff at its Castle Donington distribution centre are also set to receive a free meal each shift.

Sainsbury’s will also be offering free food during shifts as it announces a £25m package to boost benefits and pay for its employees, £20m of which is directed to raise wages reaching some 127,000 staff.

Making a gesture in acknowledgement of the current crisis goes a long way with regards staff morale and retention.   These are just a few examples of organisation’s support for staff, we are sure there are more of you out there going above and beyond the norm!