Embridge Consulting: ‘Putting Money Back Into Individual Pockets’

“2022 has presented several external challenges which affect the Embridge staff in many ways,” said Embridge Consulting founder and CEO Emma O’Brien. “We started with the excitement of the lifting of the COVID lockdown in the first quarter, followed by the devastating war in Ukraine and then the tension with the changes in our political leaders and market response, all of which have influenced the current cost of living crisis today.”

O’Brien says Embridge is reviewing what it can offer to support staff through these “difficult and challenging times.” Changes include increasing health care offers, reviewing salaries aligned to a competency framework, options of salary sacrifice schemes, enhanced employer pension contributions and providing discount platforms. These, said ‘Brien “put money right back into individual pockets.”

          ·        Enhanced Employer pension contributions, therefore reducing employee contributions so savings can be made and enhanced monthly income can be achieved.

          ·         Enhanced Cycle to work scheme to encourage more staff to utilise this scheme and saving on transport costs where possible.

          ·         Flexible Buy & Sell Annual Leave Scheme, empowering employees to sell or purchase up to a maximum of 10 days annual leave which would in turn increase monthly earning potential.

          ·         Health cash plans for staff from day one of joining Embridge.

          ·         Enhanced working from home allowance – where possible the working from home allowance is to take into account rising energy costs.

          ·         Incentive gifts to keep staff motivated and to celebrate achievements.

          ·         Introduction of a tailored discount and wellness platform.

          ·         Flexible working abroad for agreed periods.

          ·         Salary sacrifice schemes that support payment of expenses and savings in NI e.g. childcare costs, etc.

          ·         Discounted gym memberships/online fitness classes staff can access freely.

          ·         Benchmarking of all salaries – Embridge will work with external bodies to ensure all roles within the organisation are being paid within the expectations of market rate as a minimum. This will reflect the changing landscape and market conditions seen in 2022.

“The Embridge team is like family, and in the coming months we will continue to listen to our staff, seek and share professional financial advice and tips,” said O’Brien. “We are here to support each other and will ride this wave carefully balancing the needs of the business as well as the needs of our people.”