Hays Travel is to pay homeworkers’ commission within weeks of a booking being taken in a change to its current pay structure.
Hays’ 150 homeworkers will now be paid commission on the payroll date that comes immediately after a booking is taken instead of eight weeks in advance of the customer’s departure date.
As part of the change, forward bookings currently on the system will be paid on December 7, giving agents a boost just in time for Christmas.
The move has been welcomed by homeworkers as it is expected to make a significant difference in earnings during traditionally quieter booking periods, such as pre-Christmas.
Michelle Martin, head of telesales homeworkers at Hays Travel, said: “This means our staff are getting paid for the work they’re doing now rather than having to wait a long time to reap the rewards. When they’re working, they’re earning, which will make a huge difference in a seasonal market like ours.”
She added: “The homeworkers I’ve spoken to so far are over the moon that they will be receiving their forward commissions at the quietest time of year, helping them to plan and prepare for a busy January.”
The company also has 43 shops and two call centres, with an annual turnover of more than £400 million.