At an event hosted for Living Wage Week, Wales & West Utilities (WWU) celebrated its commitment as an accredited real living wage employer for the second year running.
The real living wage represents a commitment from employers to pay staff a fair wage, which covers their basic needs. In November 2023, WWU took a voluntary stand to ensure their staff earn a wage that meets the rising costs and pressures they face in everyday life.
The UK Living Wage is currently £12.60 per hour and is the only rate calculated according to what people need to make ends meet.
WWU is proud to pay well above the living wage and offer a range of benefits to colleagues to support their financial, physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Head of People and Engagement at Wales & West Utilities, Bethan Jones, explains:
“Along with becoming real Living Wage accredited employer, we've also developed our flexible benefits package to support our valued colleagues with all aspects of their wellbeing. Enhancing colleague wellbeing is a central tenet of our Culture and People Strategy and we are proud of our programme which aims to deliver mutual benefits to colleagues, their families, organisations, and communities.
“Our Better Wellbeing Strategy recognises the challenges posed by the rising cost of living and has introduced options to help alleviate financial pressures through our Financial Wellbeing Pot offering colleagues a flexible savings option to help meet their financial needs. Along with our Cycle to Work scheme, Remote GP and various lifestyle benefits, we’ve made it our priority to take important steps to support the wellbeing of our entire workforce .”
The Living Wage Week: Celebrating the real Living Wage in Wales was hosted in Cardiff, and featured a speech by Eluned Morgan, First Minister for Wales. Representatives from accredited local authorities in Wales also attended, and visitors heard from workers who had benefited from the pay increase.