Wessex Archaeology has today become one of the first organisations in the heritage sector to become an accredited Living Wage Employer.
The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, based on the cost living in the UK. The Living Wage campaign has been running for 10 years and has lifted over 45,000 people out of poverty. An independent study of the business benefits of implementing a Living Wage policy in London found that more than 80% of employers believe that the Living Wage had enhanced the quality of the work of their staff, while absenteeism had fallen by approximately 25%. Many employers (66%) reported a significant impact on recruitment and retention within their organisation, while 70% of employers felt that the Living Wage had increased consumer awareness of their organisation’s commitment to be an ethical employer.
To find out more about becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer visit www.livingwage.org.uk