The owners of Dunedin’s three McDonald’s outlets offer staff a dollar-for-dollar savings program.
An Otago employer has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to an employee savings program which is thought to be unique in New Zealand.
Stonelake Corp – which owns Dunedin’s three McDonald’s outlets – has invested $350,000 over the next three years to top up a staff savings program for home deposits or study.
Modelled on a US program, the innovative scheme gives all staff a dollar-for-dollar matching on savings – up to a maximum $5,000 employer contribution.
The scheme – which was started in January – also offers additional contributions towards staff KiwiSavers as well as a pay rise of more than $1.50 per hour.
The extra support means an employee on $17.40 an hour, working 32 hours a week, could save $20,000 in three years, or $31,000 in five years. A manager could save $37,000 in five years.
''We were just looking at what we could do for staff, other than them just working here for two, five or 10 years, then leaving,” co-owner Eterei Stonelake told NZME.
''We're in a position to do good things now,'' she added.
The firm currently employs more than 200 staff and 31 have already signed up to the scheme – employees must work for the company for a year before they’re eligible.
