Web design firm Swof Media has become accredited as a living wage employer as part of its commitment to fair pay and supporting its workforce.
As a result of the orgabnisation’s pledge, all employees working at Swof Media will receive a minimum hourly wage of £13.45. This is higher than the government minimum for those aged 21 and over, which currently stands at £12.71 per hour.
The firm decided to implement the higher wage rate to combat rates in the West Midlands where it is based, because 6.6% of workers earn less than they need to in order to get by and around 405,000 jobs pay less than the real living wage. It has committed to providing a decent standard of living that meets the everyday needs of its workers.
The Living Wage Foundation’s real living wage rate is calculated based on the cost of living and rises annually based on living costs. The rate is set af £13.45 per hour for employees across the UK and £14.80 for those in London.
Chester Booth, client relationship director at Swof Media, said: “Our decision to become a living wage accredited employer is rooted in the fundamental belief that our employees are our most valuable asset.
“By ensuring that every team member receives a wage that truly reflects the cost of living, we are not only investing in their individual wellbeing and financial security, but also fostering a sustainable, motivated, and equitable workplace culture that allows our entire organisation to thrive.”
Katherine Chapman, director at Living Wage Foundation, added: “We are delighted that Swof Media has joined 16,000 UK employers which voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. These businesses recognise that paying the real living wage is the mark of a responsible employer and believe that everyone needs to be able to live with dignity and have a decent standard of living.”
