It’s been a challenging time for everyone including UK charities and employees. Despite the restrictions and the lack of face to face awareness raising visits to employer premises across the UK, employees have continued to support their chosen charities via payroll.
The Payroll Giving Quality Mark is a government-supported accreditation which recognises and rewards organisations of all sizes for making Payroll Giving available to their employees.
There are six levels of Quality Mark – standard, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and, introduced in 2017 / 2018, Diamond. Each level recognises a certain minimum employee participation rate. Holders of a Quality Mark will receive a certificate and a logo to use on company materials.
Many employers, moved by the plight of charities, launched a Payroll Giving scheme during the lockdown. These employers will receive their first Quality Mark in 2022.
Longer term supporters of the Payroll Giving scheme received a fantastic array of Payroll Giving Quality Marks in 2021 to celebrate their commitment to the scheme.
In all, 3026 UK employers have received the following standard of Quality Mark:
178 Diamond – at least 30% of employees participating overall and fulfilled at least one of the below criteria:
243 Platinum – at least 20% of employees participating overall
343 Gold – at least 10% of employees participating overall
632 Silver – at least 5% of employees participating overall
1810 Bronze – at least 1% of employees participating overall
We are delighted to share that StC Payroll Giving has retained the highest level of Quality Mark – the Diamond standard alongside our employer partner: Multi Packaging Solutions.
Our Platinum employers include: Auto Trader Group PLC; Balcas Timber; Brewin Dolphin Ltd; Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd; Distribution Technology; Henderson Group; Police Service Northern Ireland; Sensata; The Guardian and Valero.
This level of success can be attributed to the flexible approach we, and employers, have taken to maintain awareness of the benefits of the Payroll Giving scheme especially at a time when many charities have seen an increase in the demand for their services whilst their income from other sources has been decimated.
For more details on the criteria for achieving a Payroll Giving Quality Mark.