Living Hours

Providing security of hours alongside a real Living Wage.

The campaign for a real Living Wage has ensured hundreds of thousands of workers are earning a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. But millions of low paid workers are also struggling to get the hours they need to make ends meet. That’s why the Living Wage Foundation has developed a new standard of what good looks like for those employers that can offer ‘Living Hours’ alongside a real Living Wage.

Our Living Hours standard calls on employers to provide the right to

Decent notice periods for shifts: of at least 4 weeks’ notice, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period

The right to a contract that reflects accurate hours worked

A guaranteed minimum of 16 hours a week (unless the worker requests otherwise)

One+All retain staff and spend less on recruitment by providing Living Hours alongside a real Living Wage

School-wear manufacturer One+All's Chair, Donald Moore, and Director of Colleague Support, Nic Ryan, told us about the business benefits to providing Living Hours alongside a real Living Wage, including better customer service, improved staff retention and lower recruitment costs.

Precarious pay and uncertain hours: insecure work in the UK Labour Market

Our latest report on insecure work in the UK analyses the scale, nature and impact of insecure work on workers. We find that more focus should be placed on job quality to improve the nature of work, and particularly, the experience of the UK’s low paid and insecure workforce.

The Living Hours Index

The Living Hours Index provides an important new perspective on insecure work, building on previous research by the Living Wage Foundation and others on the scale and impact of insecure and unstable work.