—Hanover becomes one of the first housing associations to introduce the voluntary living wage—
From 1 April this year, the Living Wage was introduced in Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association.
Its introduction has resulted in an average 5% pay rise for more than 150 staff. It is hoped that introduction of the Living Wage will not only result in increased staff satisfaction and engagement, but also help in the retention and recruitment of quality staff in the future.
Andrew Aitken, Hanover’s Director of HR, said: “We’re one of the first organisations in the sector to introduce the Living Wage; which ensures that every member of staff earns not just the minimum wage but a realistic living wage.”
“Such commitment to our staff is again another measure of our endeavours to recognise the efforts and excellent service they deliver. It also further demonstrates our desire to maintain our position as an Employer of Choice.”
The Living Wage is the minimum income deemed necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs. It’s an hourly rate, set independently, updated every year and calculated to meet the basic cost of living in the UK. It’s higher than the minimum wage (£7.65 as opposed to £6.31) and, unlike the minimum wage (which is a legal requirement), employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis.
