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Clothing supplier Clothes2order has unveiled a new employee benefits package which includes the offer of emergency loans to help staff facing sudden or unexpected domestic bills.
Cash advances of up to a month’s wages are being offered to the Trafford Park firm’s 90-strong workforce, with repayments being made from their salaries over a six-month period.
Managing director Michael Conway, pictured, said: “Our rates of pay are above the level of the government’s new National Living Wage but we recognise that people are sometimes faced with unforeseen expenses.
“We are offering the loans to give our staff peace of mind that we can assist them if necessary. We are pleased to be able to offer this low-cost borrowing safety net.
“The stress of being faced with unexpected bills can be a huge headache, and we believe this initiative is a good way to reduce the impact and is a welcome alternative to payday lenders or other high-interest loans.”
The loans are available at two per cent above the Bank of England base rate, which has stood at 0.5 per cent since March 2009
Other benefits in the new package include financial rewards for employees who suggest ways to improve the business. Mr Conway said several ideas have been implemented and have been well-received by customers.
One of the most successful innovations has been sending email photographs of uniforms in production to update customers on the progress of their order.
The benefits package also includes an additional day’s paid holiday for every three years of service, attendance bonuses, extra money for first-aiders and fire marshals, and health cash plans enabling employees to recover costs associated with various types of medical treatment, such as eye care and dental charges.
Mr Conway said: “We are committed to creating an environment where people feel valued, respected and happy, and where contributions and achievements that help drive the progress of the company are recognised and rewarded.
“Employee participation and engagement, and the well-being and happiness of our staff, are critical for our continued success.
“People who enjoy coming to work are more productive and less likely to leave, and higher staff retention levels in turn benefit the company.
Clothes2order’s workforce has doubled in the past year in line with soaring sales, and employee numbers are on course to top 100 by the end of 2015.
The firm supplies customised clothing for uniforms, promotions and events.
It prints and embroiders logos and slogans on to t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and other items of clothing for more than 20,000 businesses, clubs, charities, societies, groups and individuals nationwide and overseas.
