POTBANK’S PLAN FOR STAFF TO ‘ADDRESS LABOUR SHORTAGE’
£250 festive bonus and a host of incentives for city workforce
POTTERY giant Portmeirion is offering staff a £250 Christmas bonus – if they don’t have a day off sick between now and the big day.
The festive bonus is one of a number of incentives introduced at the Stoke factory as the company bounces back from the coronavirus pandemic and attempts to address the national labour shortage.
Portmeirion sales are now back above pre-pandemic levels following ‘excellent’ trading in the first half of 2021.
The company has reported record group revenue of £43.1 million in the six months up to June 30 – up 35 per cent on 2020 and a 24 per cent increase on 2019.
Its half-yearly interim results also showed a pre-tax profit of £1.5 million, after the company recorded a £2.7 million loss in 2020.
Portmeirion Group human resources director Sam Pearce said: “Portmeirion Group, along with many other businesses nationally and globally, has faced recent challenges with a shortage of labour to meet demand.
“Following feedback from the trade union and our colleagues, the company has introduced a range of recognition initiatives to aid recruitment and support our production and distribution requirements which enable us to continue to provide a first class product and service to our customers worldwide.
“The initiatives include significant levels of a refer a friend/family member bonus, a retention bonus for all new joiners from September who successfully complete their probationary periods, enhanced overtime premium rates, and an attendance bonus.
“We also offer industry leading benefits, including life cover benefits and healthcare benefits which are fully funded by the business.
“Feedback on these incentives have been extremely well received and we have already seen a number of new joiners who have been recommended by colleagues already working for the business.”
But one worker claimed that some employees are threatening to go into work with suspected covid symptoms – because they don’t want to miss out on the Christmas bonus.
One worker said: “I think it is utterly disgusting given the covid case rate is increasing in the city.
“One of the staff has told me that people are openly coming to work on the factory floor even though they suspect they may have covid.
“I think it is irresponsible and could risk the health of colleagues.”
But the company’s HR director added: “The company continues to operate all of its covid safety measures which include specified cleaning time for every colleague in every area, staggered shifts, one-way systems, and the wearing of face coverings when moving around our sites remain mandatory.
“Our attendance bonus is intended to recognise and reward colleagues who attain full attendance. Absence due to covid, as with any other certified sickness absence, is recognised by the business and colleagues are paid significant levels of occupational sick pay to support them during their absence.”