Update from Charlie: celebrating Living Wage Week
Monday 05-11-2018 - 11:32
This week is Living Wage Week, so it’s time to celebrate just what it means to pay employees the living wage.
I’m proud to say that Durham SU was recently accredited as a Living Wage employer, following a policy passed by Assembly and my work last year in ensuring its implementation. This means all student staff at the SU – those pulling your pints; binding your dissertations; or getting you home safe – all receive the Living Wage.
The Living Wage is now rising to £9 an hour and is based on the actual cost of living; as such it’s noticeably higher than the National Minimum Wage of £7.38 an hour, which doesn’t take this into account.
It’s so important for students who are working throughout their degree to receive a wage that makes the hours they put in worthwhile. The Living Wage gives students more spending power and allows them to work less hours, so that they have more time to study and socialise.
Jess Dunning, one of our lovely student staff members, said, “Earning a Living Wage allows me to not worry about finances and to fully participate in University life.”
You can find out more about Living Wage Week and the campaign to pay all employees a wage they can actually live off on the Foundation website here.
