South Essex-based Palmers Solicitors has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Palmers has committed to paying all their staff at least the real Living Wage.
The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the cost of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the Government minimum.
Across the region, more than 15 per cent of jobs pay less than the real Living Wage – around 392,000 roles.
Since 2011, the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to more than 300,000 people and put more than £1.6 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.
Gina Newman, Practice Manager at Palmers Solicitors, said: “Every single member of our team plays an important role in providing first-rate legal services to businesses and individuals across South Essex and so it is right that they should be paid a fair wage.
“We have long been committed to being a great employer and a place where people want to work. We had flexible working arrangements in place long before the pandemic struck. We invest in our staff in a variety of ways. We have had a number of Mental Health First Aiders and other wellbeing initiatives in place for several years.
“It is wonderful to be able to build on that commitment through accreditation as a Living Wage Employer.”
Katherine Chapman, Director, Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re delighted that Palmers Solicitors has joined the movement of almost 9,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the Government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.
“The join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more.
“These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Palmers Solicitors, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”