Wandsworth Council has seen a rise in the number of staff using Wagestream, a salary advance tool, according to a report presented at the Richmond and Wandsworth Joint Staffing Committee meeting on Thursday 10 July 2025.
The report on Workforce Indicators and Trends revealed that 10% of the council's workforce is using the tool, with over 8,000 advances made in 2024-25, averaging 749 times per month. The main reasons cited for using Wagestream were to cover bills and groceries, with the average advance being £58.
Wagestream is offered as part of the council's enhanced employee benefits package, which also includes flexible working arrangements, enhanced parental leave, and comprehensive health insurance plans. These benefits have been well-received by employees, according to the staff survey.
The Workforce Indicators and Trends report also highlighted other key findings:
- The voluntary resignation rate exceeds the London median by 4.8%. Voluntary resignations are the main reason for departures, with retirements also being significant each quarter.
- Sickness absence rates have remained stable (currently 8.0 days), with a slight decrease in short-term absences.
The report also noted that colds and flu remain the primary reason for short-term absences year-round, while mental health-related issues continue to be the leading cause of long-term and overall absence, with over 25% of all absences related to mental health concerns. To address this, well-being programs and mental health support are an important part of the developing People Strategy. Long-term sickness absence cases are also being managed effectively through tailored return-to-work plans.
