The Pizza Man

Finding good staff

Tom's plan · October 2026 · Five minutes to read

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We can't beat the big factories on pay yet.

But we can beat them on hours, and on being a good place to work.

People do want to work. Around here, nearly everyone who wants a job already has one.

What I found

Mid Ulster has the fewest people out of work in Northern Ireland.

So there are very few people sitting at home waiting for a job.

The local food factories employ a huge number of people. They are hiring the same adults we want.

8 in 10 adults here are already in work or looking for work.

Adults aged 16 to 64 in work or looking for work. Mid Ulster 2025; UK and NI mid-2026.

Young people aren't lazy.

Fewer teenagers work than they used to (16 and 17 year olds, across the UK).

In Northern Ireland, most young people who aren't working are in school, college or university.

Of the rest, more are off sick than ten years ago, mostly with anxiety and stress.

Adults want set hours they can plan their life around.

When job adverts offer hours that suit people, up to 30% more people apply.

Staff with steady hours stay longer.

Some people ask for cash in hand because they're afraid of losing their benefits.

Most don't know they are always better off working.

We will give them a simple sheet that explains it, and a free advice number.

We stay above board. Everything goes through the books.

Who we'll look for

Parents

They want work within school hours, close to home.

Best fit: Tuesday prep, Saturday daytime, factory packing.

Over-50s and the recently retired

They want company, a routine and a bit extra money. About 1 in 10 over-50s have gone back to work after retiring.

Best fit: Shift Lead, steady evenings, factory days.

People wanting a few steady hours

For example, after illness or while caring for someone. They want a small, regular shift with a friendly team.

Best fit: 8 to 12 hours a week.

Factory workers wanting a change

They want something local and calmer, or a second job that fits around their shifts.

Best fit: Shift Lead, Saturdays.

Local migrant communities

They want steady work, respect, and a manager who explains things clearly.

Best fit: factory and kitchen work. We reach them through community groups, churches and word of mouth.

What we'll do

1

Set shifts people can plan around.
  • The same evenings every week: Tuesday in Magherafelt, Wednesday in Maghera, Saturday in both.
  • Daytime shifts within school hours, for parents.
  • Try a 9:30 to 2:30 packing shift at the factory.
2

Better job adverts.
  • Put the hours first, and always show the pay.
  • Apply by text. No CV needed.
  • Example: "Shift Lead wanted, Magherafelt. Pick your weekly pattern."
3

Reply the same day, and invite them in to meet the team.

An hour to look round and have a chat. Once we offer the job, their first shift is paid as normal.

4

Use the free help that's out there.
  • The Jobs & Benefits Office in Magherafelt: free adverts and job fairs.
  • Mid Ulster Council job schemes.
  • A council grant towards staff training. It closes on 30 October.
5

Small thank-yous for staff.
  • Free pizza on shift.
  • £50 for recommending a friend who stays three months.
  • Two team days out a year, one in summer and one in winter.
6

A "Shift Lead" role with a little more pay.

£1 an hour more than the adult rate.

It gives good adults a reason to join, and puts someone senior on every busy night.

What it costs

Set shifts, better adverts, quick repliesNothing but time
Help from the Jobs office and councilFree
Staff pizza on shiftCost of the food. No tax.
£50 for recommending a friend£50 to £80 each, only when the friend stays
Two team days outWe set the budget. No tax up to £150 a head a year.
Shift Lead, £1 an hour moreAbout £1,500 a year per Shift Lead
Staff trainingRequired by law anywayAbout £15 a person for food hygiene. About £100 a person for first aid. Plus wages. The council grant could cover the course fees.
Shift Lead pay will be checked against what our managers earn now, so managers always stay ahead.

Why this matters

See the wage rates

Minimum hourly pay since April 2026:

Age 16 to 17£8.00
Age 18 to 20£10.85
Age 21 and over£12.71

The 18 to 20 rate went up 8.5% this April. The government plans to bring it up to the adult rate.

What I need from you

1

Do we claim Employment Allowance?

A tax relief that takes up to £10,500 a year off the National Insurance the business pays on wages.

If we qualify and don't claim it, we are paying more than we need to. Julie at DML will know.

2

Are you happy for Shift Leads to get £1 an hour more?

3

What do you think? Is there anything you would do differently?