Caffé Nero stop free lunch for their staff

Staff at Caffé Nero will no longer receive free lunches because of the National Living Wage.

Caffé Nero warned that the national living wage would have a significant financial impact on the business and the removal of free lunches during shifts was needed in order to keep costs down.

However, Caffé Nero has said it will implement the living wage across all staff, even those under 25 who aren’t actually affected by the new law which came into force on April 1.

Staff will now receive a 65 per cent discount on food and get free coffee.

A Caffé Nero rep said: ‘From the 11th April, all current employees, regardless of their age, will be moved to at least the new National Living Wage if currently below it. Alongside this investment, all current employees will continue to receive paid breaks, and a substantial discount on food and drink bought when on shift.

‘Employees currently paid over the National Living Wage have all had a full pay review, and the big majority will be receiving a pay increase depending on their role or situation.

‘Caffè Nero is committed to the investment and development of all its employees.

‘The introduction of a new National Living Wage is a huge potential cost to the business, but also a great opportunity to review pay, and reward employees for their investment in Caffè Nero.’

However, customers are threatening to boycott Caffé Nero stores over this move – do you agree with them?

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