To: All SuperValu MOPI Members
Re: Benefit in Kind
From: Keith Pollard – Divisional Organiser
18th May 2021
Dear Member
I hope this correspondence finds you and yours, safe and well.
Mandate have this morning received a large number of queries from members employed in SuperValu MOPI with regard to the fact that Benefit in Kind has been recorded on their payslip for this week. It is our understanding that this is as a result of the Company issuing all members of staff recently with a Thank You Hamper.
Mandate have written to the Company via email this morning, which can be viewed below at Appendix 1, seeking certain assurances from them with regard to the concerns of our members.
The Company’s response has been detailed below at Appendix 2 clearly stating that no member will be at a financial loss of receiving the Hamper and also that the Christmas Bonus will not be affected.
If any member feels that they are at a loss of earnings as a result of receiving the Hamper then please in the first instance raise your query with your SRM / Store Manager.
Finally, with the phased reopening of non-essential retail please ensure that you make yourself aware off and adhere to all the latest Health & Safety Protocols issued with regard to COVID-19 so as to make sure that you, your colleagues and your families remain as safe as is possible.
Yours fraternally
On Behalf of the MOPI National Team
Keith Pollard
Divisional Organiser
Appendix 1
From: Keith Pollard
Sent: 18 May 2021 10:27
To: Fitzgerald, Heidi
Subject: BIK
Dear Ms. Fitzgerald
I hope you are keeping well.
Mandate have this morning been inundated with calls from members with regard to the fact that Benefit in Kind has appeared on their payslips this week, it is our understanding that this is as a result of the Company issuing all Members with a Thank You Hamper a number of weeks ago.
It would be appreciated if you could confirm the following by return:
It would be appreciated if you could respond at your earliest opportunity with the assurances requested.
Yours sincerely
Keith Pollard
Divisional Organiser
Mandate Trade Union
9 Cavendish Row
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 8746321
Appendix 2
From: Fitzgerald, Heidi
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2021 11:06:30 AM
To: Keith Pollard
Subject: RE: BIK
Hi Keith
As you mentioned, the hamper issued to colleagues was a thank you for all their hard work over the last number of months. To clarify your queries below:
- Colleagues will not be at a financial loss as a result of receiving the hamper. The Benefit In Kind has been paid by the company, it has been grossed up and is visible on colleagues payslips to ensure that we are compliant with revenue rules (Similar to the process last Christmas)
- The hamper was grossed up on this occasion in order to ensure that the Christmas bonus will not be affected and colleagues will be able to avail of the small tax exemption up to a max of €500
If colleagues have any specific queries or concerns they should contact their SRM in store.
Again I want to reiterate that the hamper was a gesture of goodwill from the company and colleagues will not be at a disadvantage as a result of receiving this gift.
I hope this clarifies things but if there are anymore queries please don’t hesitate in contacting me.
Regards
Heidi