Living Wage Employers: evidence of UK Business Cases

Abstract

This report has been prepared by the University of Strathclyde in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation (LWF) and a number of Living Wage Employers to contribute to the growing ‘business case’ for the Living Wage in the UK. This project reported details the business cases of 5 Living Wage Employers – Aviva, Barclays, KPMG, Penrose Care and SSE – and a member of the LWF’s Service Provider Recognition programme – Enhance Office Cleaning. An historic approach was undertaken, providing where available evidence of employers’ long term commitment (pre- and post LWF accreditation) to the Living Wage. The report begins by documenting the formation of the Living Wage Foundation and its accreditation process within the context of the living wage movement in the UK, and is followed by a review of core literature on the evolution of the business case. The subject of our attention within each case organisation then turns to the nature and recognition of value and how it is created in connection with Living Wage adoption. Evidence is provided of the business costs and benefits of Living Wage adoption, and in each case the employer’s perceived impact on employees.