Durham University has announced that it will update its pay rates in line with the real living wage as of 1 April.
This means that its workers under the university’s casual pay rates one and two, such as student ambassadors and students who work for a college, will receive a pay rise to £12 per hour. This will be the same as the current real living wage rate, which is independently calculated by the Living Wage Foundation.
The minimum casual rate from August 2023 was £11.33 per hour, which was above the national living and minimum wage rates.
The university decided to increase the pay rate as part of its process to become an officially accredited employer with the Living Wage Foundation. Durham Students’ Union has been a living wage employer since 2018.
A Durham University spokesperson said: “We recently announced changes to our pay spine, including that all staff are paid above the real living wage for the UK, currently £12 per hour. Our pay rates have tracked the real living wage for some time and we are now seeking to become an officially accredited employer with the Living Wage Foundation.”
Durham University offers its employees discounts at local supermarkets, holidays, travel, high street retailers and electrical goods, a bikes-for-work scheme, a 24-7 employee assistance programme, an on-site nursery and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year, family-friendly policies that include maternity and adoption leave, and 27 days of annual leave.