Landscape and national grounds maintenance business Nurture Landscapes Holdings has committed to paying the living wage to all of its employed staff aged 18 and above.
The organisation, which is also known as the Nurture Group and employs around 1,360 workers across the brands Nurture Landscapes and Gavin Jones, has ensured that around 470 staff who had not previously been able to earn this rate will now receive the real living wage, while other operational staff get an average pay increase of 5.3%.
According to the group, the move to become a real living wage employer strengthens its commitment to supporting its teams across the nation and enables all of its members of staff, including younger employees at the beginning of their careers, to progress in their roles.
The current real living wage rate, which is voluntary for employers, is £10.85 in London and £9.50 across the rest of the UK for employees. The Living Wage Foundation independently calculates it according to the cost of living in a region based on essential products and services people need to live comfortably, and it is also helps to maintain positive relations between employees and staff while improving the reputation of businesses.
Nurture Group CEO Peter Fane explained that the business has been committed to caring for staff, the environment, and the communities in which its clients operate from day one, with living wage employer accreditation being another way to demonstrate this ongoing commitment.
“Becoming a living wage accredited employer is a great achievement and something I take great personal pride in. Our teams work hard each day to provide the best service for our clients and ensure that each site is maintained to the highest possible standard, so it is only right that we as an organisation give them the recognition that their efforts deserve,” he said.
