Urgent Daily Mail opportunity

"I have seen real concern amongst small business owners regarding staff requests for a pay rise. Business owners are feeling frustrated that they are having to field these requests, as a direct reaction to a hike in the cost of living. One client told me that his staff can no longer afford to maintain the social life that they once enjoyed and this has prompted a request for a salary increase. They feel employers should almost compensate them for the gap between what life looked like pre-covid to what it now resembles. One employer said he found it frustrating that he had struggled to keep employing staff during covid and now feels as though he is taking a hit for that loyalty to his workers."

We are seeing two siginificant trends amongst employees. The first is a continued push to secure an above-inflation pay rise, stating flexibility during the pandemic, the talent shortage and competitor offerings as a case to secure a rise. The second trend is an increased desire for businesses to mitigate employee costs, especially by reducing travel costs with flexible working, additional childcare assistance and even providing refreshments to lower employee spend that's tied to working patterns. And in terms of our employee facilitation and feedback sessions, it's now become the prime concern for 56% of employees and they feel their living standards will be impacted if their business doesn't react.

"In a nutshell, yes, so employers need to be less ostrich like and tackle this head on. Our business gave pay increases to all our team members prior to Christmas, in anticipation of rising living costs. Retention is going to become a key issue for employers, my advice is to be proactive in reviewing pay and benefits, and also to put flexibility front and centre, as employees now demand and expect it."