Cheshire-based Equilibrium Financial Planning has been awarded the Payroll Giving Diamond Quality Mark for the charitable efforts of its employees.
The government-backed scheme allows staff to donate a small portion of their monthly salary to a charity of their choice. There are six levels of Quality Mark based on employee participation rates, with diamond being the highest possible achievement.
Diamond status is awarded to companies with at least 30% of employees signed up to make monthly charitable donations under give-as-you-earn. Staff at the firm far exceed this quota, with nearly half participating in payroll giving.
Since the scheme was introduced in 2019, the business has also added to employees’ contributions annually, with an additional £100 for each person signed up.
The Payroll Giving Quality Mark aims to provide charities in the UK with sustainable income streams and recognises businesses which are implementing exceptional payroll giving schemes to help employees support worthwhile causes.
Sarah Warburton, Head of Culture at Equilibrium Financial Planning said: “We have fostered a real culture of giving at Equilibrium and this award is testament to the nature of our employees who are passionate about making a difference.
“Employees choose to donate to a wide range of charitable organisations, with many opting to support our charitable giving arm, The Equilibrium Foundation, which has to date raised in excess of £950,000 for charities.
“We’re always striving to support our employees to help causes that mean a lot to them. Payroll giving is one aspect of this, along with three paid volunteering days for each team member per year and our ‘charity champions’ who organise volunteering in the local community.”
