Report: The Living Wage Employer Experience

This report examines the experience of accredited Living Wage employers. It outlines the motivations to become accredited, as well as the benefits and challenges that accreditation has brought.

Key findings:

• The key justification for offering the Living Wage is values or mission-led. Reputational considerations also played an important role in the decision to become accredited.
• Many employers see the Living Wage as a way to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
• There is evidence that a significant number of employers signed up to improve employee recruitment and retention.
• Most organisations report that they have absorbed the higher wage costs without making any major changes to their wider work practices.

Since the Living Wage Foundation was established in 2011, more than 3,000 employers have gained accreditation by agreeing to pay the Living Wage. This is an independently calculated hourly rate of pay that is based on what it costs to live in London and the UK.

The report is based on a survey of all accredited employers. It was undertaken by a research team from Cardiff Business School in conjunction with the Living Wage Foundation.