FEATURE
PUTTING THE LIVING WAGE INTO PRACTICE
With the National Living Wage (NLW) having come into force on 1 April, there has been a great deal of focus on low wages, especially in the cleaning industry. However, it is apparent that there is still a lot of confusion about different Living Wages. Lisa Sheppard, Director of Development at Facilicom UK, explains the difference and encourages payment of the higher voluntary pay level.
Wherever we go to meet clients and potential clients, we regularly have to explain the difference between the Minimum Wage (for those aged under 25), the NLW (for those aged 25 and over) and the voluntary Living Wage (for everyone) from the Living Wage Foundation.
The pay schemes’ similar names are at the root of this confusion and it can take a considerable time to address clients’ concerns. We often have to point them in the direction of the Living Wage Foundation or a government website for clarity. There is normally a greater awareness of this Living Wage in London, perhaps being branded the ‘London Living Wage’ makes it more visible and easier to differentiate from the NLW.
84 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning May 2016
PUTTING THE BRAKES ON Sometimes clients or their representatives, prefer not to negotiate this point, and simply don’t want to change anything financially. That stops any momentum, even if there is an understanding of the different wages. Another barrier can be a reticence to discuss changes to the specification or other services we supply, which may offer the option to incorporate the higher wage.
With some businesses there is a sense of ‘what do I need to be seen to be doing?’ rather than ‘what can/should I do?’ For instance, in some cases companies pay the London Living Wage to workers based in London, but not to those outside. Another model I’ve seen related to various buildings in London, but the London Living Wage
was only paid in one of them at the time. This doesn’t bring the continuity that I believe our industry, and other similar industries, needs.
A further element affecting take- up of the Living Wage is that many companies don’t want to break the status quo. There’s a feeling of ‘if other companies around us aren’t paying it why should we?’ We need to see more companies willing to be disruptive and take the chance to improve people’s lives. There are compelling reasons to do so.
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT We promote the Living Wage Foundation’s level of pay, which is calculated based on the public’s perception of what is needed for a minimum acceptable standard of living.
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122