A responsible employer recognises that offering competitive, fair and decent rates of pay creates higher employee retention and stronger workforce engagement.

These organisations will demonstrate a commitment to working towards paying their employees the Real Living Wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation, and extending these same terms to their contractors.

Access resources and follow essential criteria to help you become a better provider of the Real Living Wage, or take the next step and make a pledge to be a Good Employer.

Real Living Wage

What are the benefits of paying the Real Living Wage?

  1. A better reputation. According to the Living Wage Foundation, 86% of companies reported they had improved their reputation as a business after becoming a real Living Wage employer, helping them to differentiate themselves within their sector.
  2. A happy workforce. Satisfied employees work harder, stay longer and produce better work (Mercer).
  3. Trust and motivation. Organisations who pay the Real Living Wage create an environment with increased trust between employees and managers, boosting motivation in the workplace.
Real Living Wage

Make the pledge

Become a Supporter of the Charter by pledging to pay the Real Living Wage. When employees have a positive perception of their workplace, they are more inclined to speak favourably about it, which can enhance your organisation's reputation and boost employee retention.

Make the pledge and join the charter

Real Living Wage criteria

What does best practice look like?

Advice for wherever you are on your good employment journey:

→ Getting started with the Real Living Wage commitments

→ Demonstrating commitment to excellent practice

Make the pledge and join the charter

Getting started with Real Living Wage commitments

Supporters of the Charter will commit to paying or working towards paying the real living wage set at the level recommended by the Living Wage Foundation. By ensuring employees can achieve a decent standard of living will benefit employers with better retention and workforce engagement.

Demonstrating commitment to excellent practice

If you want to take it a step further, and demonstrate excellence, Members of the Charter will put their commitment to Real Living Wage into action within their organisations by meeting the following set of criteria.

  1. Evidence of accreditation of the Living Wage Foundation or be able to demonstrate payment of the Real Living Wage and have a plan in place to pay contractors the Real Living Wage as recommended by the Real Living Wage Foundation.

The characteristics of a good employer

Flexible work
Real Living Wage
Engagement and voice