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Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair
Other Articles

Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair Aims To Strengthen Workforce

With significant funding changes due to come into effect from April, Charity Jobs NI has said its upcoming Charity Careers & Volunteer Job Fair will focus on strengthening workforce resilience

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March 2, 2026
Autism NI
Other Articles

Autism NI is named as Kinecx Energy’s Charity of the Year

Autism NI – Northern Ireland’s longest-running autism charity, and a leading training provider for over 35 years – has been selected as Kinecx Energy’s Charity of the Year for 2026.

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February 26, 2026
Co-Ownership
Other Articles

Co-Ownership calls for solutions to housing crisis to be prioritised

As the open consultation on the Draft Budget 2026 – 2029/30 enters its final days, Co-Ownership has called on the Department of Finance to reflect the current Programme for Government

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February 26, 2026
Other Articles

How Relevant Life Insurance Can Reduce Tax for Company Directors

For many company directors, tax planning focuses on salaries, dividends, and pension contributions. Life cover, when it exists at all, is often arranged personally and paid from income that has

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February 25, 2026
legal practitioners
Other Articles

Legal Practitioners Call for Action on Safety

The All-Party Group on Access to Justice has hosted a discussion at Parliament Buildings examining the urgent need to protect legal practitioners and justice sector workers from threats and attacks,

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February 25, 2026
Avondale Foods
Other Articles

Avondale Foods announces major recruitment drive for Technical Team

Avondale Foods, a family-owned manufacturer of fresh prepared convenience foods, based in Lurgan, has announced a significant expansion of its Technical Team. Following over 60 years of growth and a

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February 25, 2026
Other Articles

Majority think North West should be officially recognised as one economic sub-region, poll shows

A new cross-border LucidTalk poll in the North West of Ireland has revealed the latest views of the local population on future public services such as health, transport and environmental

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February 25, 2026
Lidl Northern Ireland announces £2.3 million investment in colleague pay increases impacting full workforce across the region ● Retailer has invested more than £10.8 million in pay rises, with all Lidl employees across the region benefitting from 27.5% pay increase since 2022 ● Lidl Northern Ireland store and warehouse employees will see their hourly rate rise from £12.40 to £12.80 ● Retailer certified as a Top Employer by Top Employers Institute for sixth consecutive year Wednesday 25th February 2026: Lidl Northern Ireland today announced a £2.3 million investment in employee pay increases for its workforce in the region. All employees will feel the benefit of this increase in their wages, with the increase effective from 1st March. It means that Lidl Northern Ireland store and warehouse employees will see their hourly rate rise from £12.40 to £12.80. Since 2022, Lidl has invested more than £10.8 million in pay rises for employees in Northern Ireland, with employees benefitting from an approximate 27.5% cumulative increase, or an average £6,500 in additional take home pay during the height of the cost-of-living crisis. This latest investment will see all of Lidl’s 1,300 employees in Northern Ireland benefitting from an average increase of 4% to their ‘Total Rewards’ package. Consisting of a 3% increase to salaries, equal to, on average, £930 per employee per annum and the remainder contributed to industry-leading benefits including pension funds, private healthcare and personal insurance to safeguard employees at every life stage. Lidl continues to expand its presence in Northern Ireland, opening new stores and creating jobs across the region. As the business continues to grow with a £150 million expansion investment over three years announced in 2024, rewarding colleagues fairly remains central to its approach as a responsible employer, recognising that its growth plans depend on the dedication of those who deliver every day. Commenting on the announcement, Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland said: “At Lidl, we believe that supporting our colleagues is the foundation of our success. Today, we are delighted to announce a £2.3 million commitment to enhancing salaries, hourly paid and total reward packages for our entire workforce throughout Northern Ireland. While the economic climate remains a challenge, our focus is on a holistic approach to employee compensation, balancing immediate salary growth with long-term lifestyle benefits providing more than just competitive pay; we are building a comprehensive support system that benefits every single individual. This is our way of saying a sincere thank you for our colleague’s central role in driving Lidl’s success.” Named Employer of the Year at the Business Eye Awards 2025 and a certified Top Employer for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute for the sixth year running, the Top Employer accreditation is a globally recognised and highly sought-after certification which showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work, exhibited through excellent HR policies and people practices. Lidl Northern Ireland continues to lead the retail sector with a comprehensive suite of industry-first benefits and supports, including paid maternity, paternity, fertility, and carers leave. By removing the mandatory retirement age and providing dedicated supports for miscarriage, domestic abuse and family carers, the retailer reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive, family-friendly workplace. In addition, Lidl became the first company on the island of Ireland to achieve Gold Level Menopause Workplace Excellence Accreditation from The Menopause Hub Academy. For more information on the roles available and Lidl Northern Ireland please visit https://jobs.lidl-ni.co.uk/ Ends For further press information, contact Lidl Northern Ireland Press Office pr@lidl-ni.co.uk Photo caption: Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland and colleagues from Lidl's store team. Picture: Robbie Reynolds Notes to editor Lidl Northern Ireland continues to trailblaze with industry-leading employee benefits and supports, including: Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave: Lidl Northern Ireland offers paid maternity as well as paternity leave to all employees across the country. Paid Fertility Leave: In April 2022, Lidl announced the introduction of Fertility Leave for Lidl employees who are undergoing IVF fertility treatments. These employees are offered two days at full pay per cycle, regardless of length of service. There is no limit to the number of cycles for which employees can avail of the policy. Removal of Mandatory Retirement Age: Lidl became the first large employer in Northern Ireland to support employees who wish to work past the age of 65 by removing the mandatory retirement age of 65 from contracts. Carer’s Leave: Paid leave for those who are caring for a family member as well as dedicated supports including one-to-one clinics for family carers who feel they are struggling to balance caring responsibilities and work commitments. Compassionate Leave for Early Pregnancy Loss and Miscarriage: Lidl became the first company across the island of Ireland to extend its Compassionate Leave policy to include three days at full pay to all employees who have experienced or been affected by early pregnancy loss and miscarriage. This extends to all employees, regardless of gender, including those with a surrogate mother. Support for employees who have experienced domestic violence: Lidl Northern Ireland supports its employees experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse by offering ten days paid leave, double the legal requirement of five days set by the Irish government. Menopause Supports: Lidl Northern Ireland have launched a support guide for employees and line managers to better understand the impact menopause can have on an individual, in partnership with The Menopause Hub. This includes expert advice and pay for a consultation for the employee. Lidl was also named Best Large Company at the Menopause Workplace Excellence Awards. Surrogacy Leave: Lidl Northern Ireland offers 24 weeks fully paid surrogacy leave as well as 4 days of Parental Preparation Classes to all employees across the country. This is available for the primary care giver (regardless of gender) while paternity leave is available to the secondary care giver (regardless of gender). Flexible Contracts: Like many retail businesses a high proportion of employees are on part-time contracts for various reasons from flexibility to operational requirements. Lidl offers contracts with a minimum of 30 hours to all store and warehouse employees to facilitate their changing needs. Employee Assistance Programme: A free, confidential counselling service is offered by Lidl to employees. It offers support to Lidl employees and their families by providing immediate help and guidance in managing whatever work or personal issues they are facing. Paid Volunteering: Lidl provides all employees with the opportunity to take part in a paid Volunteer Day each year. Employees are encouraged to spend a day volunteering with charities in their local communities. Comprehensive Training Programmes: Employees benefit from extensive training and development opportunities which have enabled over 40% of our current store management to progress through the company having initially started as Customer Assistants.
Other Articles

Lidl Northern Ireland announces £2.3 million investment in colleague pay increases

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced a £2.3 million investment in employee pay increases for its workforce in the region. All employees will feel the benefit of this increase in their

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February 25, 2026
Pinsent Masons
Other Articles

Law firm Pinsent Masons forges strategic partnership with Legora

Corporate, commercial and property lawyers from the Belfast office of multinational law firm Pinsent Masons will have the opportunity to make use of a new AI tool as the firm launches

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February 25, 2026
Belfast International Airport
Other Articles

Belfast International Airport wins global award for customer experience

Belfast International Airport, member of the VINCI Airports network, has achieved the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award from Airports Council International (ACI) for the Best Airport at Departures (5 to

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February 25, 2026
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