UON joins the Living Wage Foundation’s directory

The University of Northampton’s (UON) long-standing commitment to giving its employees fair pay for a working day has been officially recognised, with accreditation at UK level.

The Real Living Wage is an hourly pay rate based on the current cost of living, or a ‘basket’ of household goods and services such as rent and food costs. It’s reviewed each year and the current rate for the UK (outside of London) is £9.90. This is higher than the legal requirement to pay the national minimum wage.

The University has been a Living Wage employer since it was introduced in 2008 when all staff in both UON and University of Northampton Enterprises Limited received the Living Wage as a minimum level of pay. In 2016 this was extended to students working through its employment agency Unitemps.

As of today (Thursday 3 February) the University’s fair payment ethos for all staff and contractors, has been officially ‘stamped’ by the Living Wage Foundation. UON has now joined almost nine thousand organisations and businesses across the UK who pay above the minimum wage on the Foundation’s directory. Currently only 55 other UK universities have been accredited.

Deborah Mattock, Executive Director of HR, Marketing and International Relations, said: “For many years the University of Northampton has been resolutely committed to ensuring its staff are paid in-line with the Real Living Wage. To have that officially accredited by the Living Wage Foundation is wonderful recognition.

“We are justly proud to see this showcased alongside many other like-minded businesses across the UK.”

Katherine Chapman – Director, Living Wage Foundation – added: “We all need a wage that meets our everyday needs, even more so in the face of the current cost of living crisis. That’s why I’m delighted to welcome the University of Northampton as our newest Living Wage Employer, joining the movement of over 9,000 responsible employers across the UK, who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.

“We must not forget the instrumental role our workers have played in the survival of our businesses and our society, so we are thrilled to see the University of Northampton leading the way in rewarding their staff with a wage that meets their everyday needs, providing workers and their families with stability and security.”