South west England catering and hospitality organisation Fosters Events has announced that it is now paying all of its 18-year-old and above employees £12.60 per hour, and those aged 16 and above £10 per hour.
The firm, which is a real living wage employer, wanted to support its 18-year-old and above employees by paying them the rate, and its 16 and 17-year-old staff the same rate as the minimum wage for 18-year-olds.
It stated that it felt important to invest in staff by paying more than the minimum wage to its youngest team members, to be more in line with UK supermarkets and other sector competitors.
This follows the national living wage increasing to £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over, and the minimum wage for those aged 18 and above and 16 and above increasing to £10 and £7.55 per hour, respectively.
Neil Lodge, chief executive officer of Fosters Events, said: “Investing and valuing people at all levels, from entry-level positions to senior roles, is crucial for the industry’s sustainability and future success. High turnover rates and low job satisfaction can lead to substantial financial losses and despite the significant challenges the sector has faced since the pandemic, we have to demonstrate a commitment to those wishing to join and remain in the industry and that starts with paying properly.
“By prioritising fair wages and investing in our workforce we are committed to setting a positive example for working in hospitality which often gets a bad reputation compared to other sectors. This investment not only enhances employee morale and retention, but it’s going to ultimately drive business growth and customer satisfaction, a win-win situation. We also pay all breaks and provide free meals for those working for more than hours.”
Fosters Events also offers its employees 20% staff discount at all of its retail venues, hot lunches when working from the office, and flexible and practical working options.
