Serviced offices in Northampton news: Help line 'could help staff with debt'

Employees working at serviced offices in Northampton may benefit from an assistance programme, as recommended by one expert.

Charles Cotton, performance and reward adviser for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, explained that there are ways companies can help individuals who are struggling financially.

He noted that not all organisations can afford to give staff pay rises to meet the increased cost of living, but that there is another option.

"What the organisation can do is perhaps put in an employee assistance programme – these are help lines for third-party organisations that employees can phone about a number of issues and concerns," Mr Cotton remarked.

It was suggested that such services can provide workers with advice on financial problems such as how to manage or reduce debt.

The comments follow a recent warning from the Consumer Credit Counselling Service that rising unemployment and high inflation will lead to a sharp rise in personal debt problems for many individuals.