- Team members on development programmes to get new living wage six months early
- Pay now firmly connected to development, not age
Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., the London brewer and premium pub company, has today announced plans to increase pay rates for a large number of team members, regardless of age. The move is designed to reward team members who are on one of Fuller’s Inns six development programmes that provide a structured career path from bar staff or kitchen porter to general manager or head chef.
From 27 November 2015, any team member who is on, or has already completed, any one of Fuller’s Inns’ development programmes will earn at least the future national living wage rate of £7.20. In addition, the minimum £7.20 pay rate will, at the same time, be applied to all 131 service coaches – those team members with a focus on leading and training Fuller’s excellent standards of customer service.
To further incentivise the development of its people Fuller’s will, on completion of a development programme stage, award a 4% pay increase. The Company will be co-ordinating promotion opportunities to ensure a solid career ladder is in place, but in those circumstances where there is still not a promotion available within six months a further 4% pay increase will be given.
Fuller’s Inns is also introducing improved terms and conditions for 115 of its key head chefs, with a new bonus scheme and improved benefits including participation in share ownership schemes, bringing the head chef package in line with the remuneration package given to Fuller’s general managers. The move both recognises the increasing importance of food within the Fuller’s Inns business and the highly competitive chef labour market.
Fuller’s Chief Executive, Simon Emeny, said: “For some time now, we have been improving the way we reward and recognise the great people that work in our pubs and hotels. Internal research has shown us that fantastic development programmes and clear career opportunities are a better way of motivating and retaining great people than increased pay. However, we do want to reward those who commit to undertaking a development programme and these new pay rates do just that.
“One of my promises to the business since I took over as CEO was to increase the number of vacancies we filled with internal promotions – and it is paying off. Four out of the five operational reports to Fuller’s Inns MD, Jonathon Swaine, have been promoted internally and more of our general managers than ever have come through the Fuller’s Inns development programme. In addition, our Chef Scholarship programme – which has three levels from kitchen porter to head chef – is helping to attract the best people at all levels and inspiring some amazing culinary skills.
“This is a people business. Hopefully today’s announcement will ensure that we continue to attract the best new recruits in the years to come and will reinforce our position as the employer of choice.”