Imagine if you could do an extra hour’s work, then immediately get the cash.

If you could finish your morning, get paid during lunch, then go back for the afternoon.

Well that’s exactly what one firm has just let its employees do – moving from bi-weekly wages to letting people "cash out" at the tap of a button.

The new feature is designed to help staff "manage their finances and access money in an emergency", food delivery business Deliveroo explained.

"Whether it’s a student needing extra cash before their loan arrives, someone with a part-time job needing money to tie them over until their payslip arrives, or a parent needing funds to pay for an unexpected household bill, Cash Out will ensure riders’ fees are in their bank account when they need them most," Deliveroo said.

Dan Warned, Deliveroo UK and Ireland managing director, said: "This is great news for riders who need instant access to their earnings, for whatever reason."

But will it actually help in the real world, or could it just lead to more problems? We decided to find out.

‘In some ways maybe I’m wasting more money’

Deliveroo rider Daniel uses the feature a lot "at least everyday, and sometimes even a couple of times" he said.

"When I get to a certain amount, I kinda just feel like taking it out rather than just leaving it sat there," Daniel epxlained.

"I guess I’m just running my finances in a daily basis way."

The big question though, is whether it’s helping.

"In some ways it was even better before when they pay was actually two-weekly, not even weekly," he said.

"In some ways maybe I’m wasting more money this way because I’m sort of taking it in dribs and drabs, rather than just getting one lump sum … obviously that’s still my choice…  I don’t have to use it," he explained.

But balanced against that, there were times he felt it was a real help too.

"Say you’re going out, and you’re a bit short of money or something ..  you can take it out and you’ll be sorted right away," Daniel said.

"It takes away any kind of struggle if you have any, to get by until payday… you know because obviously you get paid on a daily basis now if you want to."

‘I use it when I’m in need’

Deliveroo rider Stephen Chowdhury said the ability to be paid more or less instantly has made a real difference to him.

"It’s just a really good function," he said.

When does he use it? "I’d say when I’m in need of it to be honest," Stephen added.

"Like when I want to pay my phone bill and I wanna pay it early… or buy some food."

‘I use it because I have bills to pay’

Rider Adam Gaeli said the ability to get cash the days bills come in has significantly helped.

"I use it because I have bills to pay on certain days sometimes," Adam said.

Bills are the main reason Adam cashes his earnings out he said, but there are periods when he uses it every day.

He also praised its flexibility – including for unexpected bills "in case my bike gets a puncture" he added.

"It just helps me, it helps me when I’m working, like, its flexible as well," Adam said.

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