For organisations wanting to demonstrate that they are one of the UK’s leading organisations on decent work, Living Wage accreditation is the best place to start. By paying the real Living Wage, employers are
supporting their employees with a decent standard of living and driving up standards to tackle in-work poverty. Fairer, better work is at the heart of what the Living Wage campaign is trying to achieve and why great businesses and organisations choose to go further than the government minimum. Paying the real Living Wage isn’t just the right thing to do, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that it also makes good business sense.
Accredited employers display the Living Wage Employer Mark to recognise their commitment to the Living Wage. This includes a plaque, merchandise and digital assets to demonstrate that they are a responsible employer to their staff and networks. The employer will also be listed on the Living Wage Foundation website and employer map, with their accreditation often recognised in the media.
Join over 16,000 UK employers leading the way and gain Living Wage accreditation today.
Plus our accreditations support a number of social commitments which underline social impact and ESG considerations as well as social value in procurement. Find out more about how the Living Wage Employer accreditation meets wider responsible business considerations.
By accrediting, Living Wage Employers get:
Resources and tailored support to make your life easier, including:
Access to a knowledgeable team and named point of contact who you can easily reach out to for support.
Guidance & toolkits
Templates
Ways to raise the profile of your business as a responsible employer, including:
The right to use our employer marks; to demonstrate to your employees, customers and community that you are a responsible employer.
Promotional materials to communicate being part of our network.
Opportunities to promote your business in media, social media and more.
Recognition for outstanding leadership through our national Living Wage Champion Awards, which take place annually.
Opportunities to celebrate your commitment, such as during Living Wage Week.
Putting your business on our online map so more people can discover and support you.
Opportunities to build meaningful connections and get peer-support from other business leaders in the Living Wage network, through:
Exclusive online and in-person events on relevant topics for our employer community.
Being part of regional or industry groups.
Being matched with likeminded businesses, or those who share a common challenge.
Being matched with funders who will pay a Living Wage.
The chance to influence wider debate and shape what decent work looks like in the UK, including:
Opportunities to take part in media work with influential and credible outlets.
Opportunities to meet local and national politicians.
Making your organisation stand out as a responsible business within your region or industry.
Taking up a position in one of our leadership groups.
Access to cutting-edge research on in-work poverty to help you make the case and influence decisions.
What do I need to do?
1. Pay the real Living Wage to all your directly employed staff
2. Have a plan to pay your contractors a Living Wage
3. Complete the application form
How much does it cost?
We offer a sliding scale of annual accreditation fees based on organisation size, which deliberately includes a low rate of £100 a year for organisations with fewer than 10 employees to make it accessible. Our fees are based on analysis of similar ethical accreditations and we feel that they compare favourably. All fees go straight back into supporting and developing the independent movement of businesses, organisations and people campaigning on the principle that a fair day's work deserves a fair day's pay.
How do I become a Living Wage Employer?
Watch our short video to understand the key steps to becoming accredited.
Are you a service provider?
For service providers who are committed to pay all directly employed members of staff (not tied to client contracts) the real Living Wage, and would like to present an Living Wage bid to clients, you can become a Recognised Service Provider.
What are the benefits of becoming a Living Wage Employer?
Paying the real Living Wage has multiple benefits for businesses, society and people. Find out what they are.
Don't just take it from us...
“I’ve been so happy with the support we have from the Living Wage Foundation, who are able to talk through any concerns you have openly. We are so grateful to the Living Wage Foundation to doing the hard work it takes to set the wage each year- not only does it take a lot off our plate but it also builds trust between our staff and the company, and the Foundation itself”
LUSH