What being a Living Wage Employer means

As an accredited Living Wage Employer, you can be a leading UK employer, supporting employees with a decent standard of living and driving up standards to tackle in-work poverty. We’re committed to paying a real Living Wage to all of our employees and contracted workers. We have also joined a movement of thousands of responsible businesses who have chosen to transform millions of people’s lives by doing the right thing by employees. We hope that by having a Living Wage accreditation, we demonstrate to our staff, freelancers, contractors and peers that we not only believe in but put into practice decent work opportunities for everyone.

Why paying a real Living Wage is important

Everyone needs a decent standard of living. Yet, millions of people are trapped in low paid work in the UK. That’s millions of working people and their families unable to meet their living costs because they don’t own a wage that meets the cost of living, forcing them into in-work poverty. This looks like people forced to turn to foodbanks and unable to pay their households bills. Plus, employers that fail to provide the real Living Wage risk failing to attract and retain staff and differentiate themselves in competitive markets. The Living Wage Foundation’s real Living Wage remains the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on the cost of living, rising annually based on living costs. It gives employers the confidence they are paying a wage that meets everyday needs. You can find the latest Living Wage rates here.

What are the benefits of being an accredited Living Wage Employer?

Paying the real Living Wage isn’t just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. With decent pay, employees thrive and so do businesses. In fact, 94% of employers say being accredited has had an overall positive benefit, from better recruitment, retention of existing staff and improved reputation. With decent pay, employees thrive and so do businesses.