As the new year begins we couldn’t be more happy to share the news that Unloc is now officially accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Our Living Wage commitment means everyone working at Unloc receives a minimum hourly wage of £9.30 across the UK (or £10.75 in London).
Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 25s, which currently stands at £8.72 per hour.
The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. This ensures a better quality of life for employees, and ensures people can meet their basic needs in an ever increasing financial landscape.
Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 230,000 people and put over £1 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.
Here at Unloc we have long believed in paying the Living Wage and are pleased to now have that recognised through accreditation.
Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation commented:
“We’re delighted that Unloc has joined the movement of over 6000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.”
“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Chelsea and Everton Football Clubs, Lush, and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Unloc, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”
At Unloc we work with young people at the very start of their career path, perhaps before they even have a solid concept of their desired industry. We feel it’s important that we start young entrepreneurs and future business owners on their journey with the principle that a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of this ourselves and ensure our staff are paid a fair wage for all their hard work and dedication to the futures of young people.
About the Living Wage Foundation
The Living Wage Foundation began as a movement at a meeting in East London, when the grassroots organisation Citizens UK brought together churches, mosques, schools and other local institutions to talk about the issues affecting their communities. One issue came up again and again – low pay.
At the time the minimum wage in the UK was a mere £3.70 an hour. Some people were working two or three minimum wage jobs and still struggling to make ends meet. And nowhere more so than in London, where housing and childcare costs are much higher than in other parts of the country.
Supporters held rallies and charity music gigs. A big march down the Mile End road called for all staff working in East London hospitals to be paid a Living Wage. These hospitals were among the first employers to join the movement. Followed by local schools and big city firms. At a major public assembly in 2004, Citizens UK persuaded the Mayor of London to help champion the Living Wage across the capital.
Soon, low paid workers and community leaders were negotiating to make sure big projects and in 2011 the movement went national, launching the first UK Living Wage rate and set up a Living Wage Foundation to recognise and celebrate the great businesses that choose to go further than the government minimum.
Living Wage employers found that paying a decent wage, as well as being the right thing to do, had real business benefits. They talked of lower staff turnover and a better bottom line. Staff felt valued so they went the extra mile. The more Living Wage employers talked about the benefits, the more others wanted to get involved.
To find out more about the Living Wage Foundation click here.
