Stockton firm introduces living wage
A STOCKTON-BASED housing group claims to have become the first North-east business of its kind to adopt the “living wage”, designed to lift those in work off benefits.
Staff at North Star Housing Group will see their minimum wage of £5.52 per hour boosted by 13%, while contractors will be required to guarantee a living wage for all their employees as part of the tendering process.
The living wage was originally introduced by London Mayor Ken Livingstone to ensure Londoners were not paid at a rate that kept them in or near poverty. Since 2001 a limited number of high profile companies, including Barclays and PriceWaterhouse Coopers, have adopted the policy for all low-paid staff, including cleaners and security guards.
North Star, which has two subsidiaries - Endeavour Housing and Teesdale Housing Associations - said there was a “strong business case” for providing the living wage as it improved staff retention and productivity.
Head of human resources and corporate services, Beverly Sherratt said: “We are a socially responsible organisation (and) it has been shown that wage levels have a direct contribution to a person's wellbeing, which in turn can impact on their family life.”
