HC-One has announced its is investing over £39 million in colleague pay this year.

The investment will mean over 80% of colleagues will be paid at or above the Real Living Wage as of 1 April 2024 and receive an average pay award of 9%.

Earlier this week, HC-One announced it was also introducing company sick pay for all colleagues following consultation with its recognised union, the GMB. Workers will be able to receive sick pay from day one of any absence, up to three times per year, going further than the statutory sick pay (SSP) scheme that kicks in after three days of absence.

This new investment builds on the £32.5 million that HC-One invested in colleague pay in 2023, as well as its wider investment in reward, benefits, colleague wellbeing and development, including: enhancing maternity, paternity and adoption leave; providing a new benefits platform including leading discounts; wide ranging learning and development programmes; a new Flex Force initiative that that normalises and brings flexible working to social care; providing access to the financial wellbeing stream, Wagestream; along with the AXA Health ‘Be Supported’ 24/7 counselling helpline and Aviva Digital GP service for all.

James Tugendhat, chief executive at HC-One, said: “I am delighted that we are announcing another substantial investment in colleague pay and are pleased to be making a positive step forward on sick pay.

“Our colleagues at HC-One make up the biggest health and care workforce outside the NHS and are vital to how we deliver care. We would not be able to do what we do without them, and it’s incredibly important to us that we do everything that we can to reward them for the crucial work they do.

“We’ve been encouraged to see a significant improvement in our colleague retention rates, which have been 5% ahead of the sector average and is a testament to the impact that our investment in pay, reward and learning & development is having. Our residents will also be seeing the benefit of this through consistency of teams, and developing meaningful relationships with the colleagues who support them.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact of today’s announcement as we continue to support those in our care to lead their best live and strive to be the first choice for families, colleagues and commissioners in the communities we serve. 

“We are also continuing to engage with our local authority and NHS partners, who fund the majority of the residents we support, to secure fee uplifts that will enable us to go even further on colleague pay.”