Background
G4 Claims is an award-winning no-cost car accident claims business operating out of North Lanarkshire, which has seen rapid growth and achievement since its incorporation in 2017. Operating as an Accident Management Service, they provide administrative support and connect customers to APPA insurance, as well as providing a replacement hire vehicle and arranging for repairs.
G4 Claims have also expanded into podcast production with 2 podcast studios, and have also created G4 Marketing which offers specialist services such as content creation and social media management. They have taken on a restoration project at Garrion Tower with a view to venue hire. All of the businesses under the G4 umbrella are Living Wage accredited.
Since their creation, G4 have won multiple awards including Lanarkshire’s Best Professional Service Provider, and several wins of Customer Service of the Year at the prestigious Scotland’s Business Awards. They have also won Best Vehicle Accident Management Specialists at the Scottish Enterprise Awards 2023, where employee Rhianna Rankin was named Accident Management Managing Director of the Year. Their founder and owner, Nicole Rudder, has also been recognised for her work, and was nominated for Businesswomen Connections’ Power of Inspiration Awards, which recognises inspirational women.
G4 Claims was founded as a family company and have sought to keep those principles at the heart of their business. This includes practical support offered to staff, such as welcoming children into the workplace and therefore accommodating parents, and offering health services including physio for any employees who need it. An important part of providing security to employees is the commitment to paying a fair wage.
Nicole has sought to keep and strengthen the values that the business was founded on, giving everyone a sense of belonging and ensuring that they feel invested in the business. She has always made fair pay a priority as she feels it makes sense both from a business and personal point of view.
“I want people to feel part of the team. I want them to feel appreciated, supported and feel like they’re getting paid fairly for the great job they do. It’s so important because if the money isn’t in your bank, you can’t live your life!”
G4 is firmly rooted in Lanarkshire and Nicole has worked to establish the business as a force for good in the local community. This means taking an active role in the community through sponsorship of local sports teams, engagement with local schools and their work with local businesses and craftsmen on their Garrion Tower project, a listed building that had fallen into disrepair and which Nicole and a project team are restoring. When up and running, Garrion Tower will provide Living Wage hospitality jobs in the local area.
They have also opened their recording studio to schools to allow students to produce their own podcasts as class projects. Nicole says she wants to give children an opportunity to take their skills in different directions. She believes that providing them with the space and encouragement to do so helps them find what they are good at outside of the academic environment.
Journey to Accreditation
After first hearing about Living Wage accreditation at a networking event, Nicole decided that it was important for G4 Claims to gain the accreditation. Making an ongoing commitment to paying the real Living Wage, the only rate of pay calculated to meet the cost of living, felt central to the ethos of G4 Claims.
Accreditation proved to be a simple task for G4 as the workforce was already being paid at or above the real Living Wage, and Nicole found the whole process to be straightforward.
The Benefits
The most important aspect of Living Wage accreditation for Nicole is the commitment to staff . She wants to give people the security of knowing that they will be paid fairly from the outset. This not only gives assurance to new employees, but it also sends a positive message to job applicants.
“It’s great because when new people come in they just know and don’t have to ask the question. They know that the minimum they’re going to get is the Living Wage from the outset.”
Nicole believes that one of the most important benefits of accreditation is building on the positive atmosphere in the workplace, believing that if you value your team, they are more likely to thrive. She also notes the reputational benefit that G4 has achieved, allowing them to stand out from competitors.
“It’s a benefit to have the accreditation so you can evidence and promote your commitment. It’s about getting the badge out there so everyone, including your clients, can see it and be assured that you are paying your people a fair wage.”
She views the real Living Wage as an important investment in the future of business. Her belief in the real Living Wage is strong enough that she has been actively promoting it among her business network, and was proud to see two of the garages she works with sign up as real Living Wage employers.
Nicole’s advice to other companies who may be on the fence about Living Wage accreditation is to find out more about the process and any potential costs by talking to a member of the Living Wage Scotland team.
As Nicole points out, the real Living Wage is especially important now as inflation has increased the cost of living. This added financial burden has pushed many families into a higher level of financial need and left them struggling to make ends meet. By paying the only rate calculated to meet the cost of living, the real Living Wage can be a lifeline for workers and their families.
“Take some time to consider the impact it will have on your monthly payroll. It might not have a significant financial impact, but it will make a huge difference to your staff. If you believe you can manage it, please take the time to reassess and consider making the change.”