We’re thrilled to share some exciting news here at Hoot Credit Union – we’ve just become an accredited Living Wage Employer! What does that mean? Well, it means that every single person working at Hoot is guaranteed to earn at least £12 an hour, which is more than the government’s minimum wage for over 21s, currently set at £11.44 per hour. We are so proud to Pay the Real Living Wage!
Why is this important? In the North West, where we’re based, around 13.5% of jobs pay less than the real Living Wage. That’s about 397,000 jobs where people aren’t earning enough to comfortably meet the cost of living. But at Hoot, we believe in fairness, and we’re committed to making sure that everyone who works with us earns a wage they can actually live on.
The real Living Wage isn’t just any wage – it’s calculated based on what people need to get by. It’s a voluntary rate that employers can choose to pay to ensure their staff are looked after properly. And since 2011, the Living Wage movement has helped over 460,000 people get a well-deserved pay rise, putting £3 billion extra into the pockets of those who need it most.
Proud to Pay the Real Living Wage
Chris Canham, our Chief Executive, couldn’t be prouder. She said, “Our employees are the heart of what we do at Hoot. It’s crucial that we take care of them just as they take care of our community. By paying the real Living Wage, we’re making sure they’re fairly rewarded for all their hard work.”
The Director of the Living Wage Foundation, Katherine Chapman, also shared her thoughts: “We’re delighted that Hoot Credit Union has joined the ranks of over 14,000 responsible employers across the UK who go beyond the government minimum to ensure their staff are paid enough to live on. It’s great to see Hoot leading by example and recognising that a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”
This is a big step for us at Hoot, and we’re so proud to be part of a movement that’s making a real difference to people’s lives.
If you want to know more about the real Living Wage and the work of the Living Wage Foundation, check out their website.
