A LEADING law firm has become a new accredited Scottish Living Wage employer. Through its living wage commitment, all employees of Law At Work (LAW), regardless of whether they are direct employees or third-party contracted staff, will receive a minimum hourly wage of £8.75.
This rate is significantly higher than the statutory minimum for those aged over 25, which is currently £7.50 per hour.
Founded in 2001, LAW is a one-stop shop for all employee relations, offering advice on everything from health and safety, employment law and human resources.
The firm, which employs 34 staff across Glasgow and Edinburgh, works closely with the retail, education and the third sector, and serves more than 380 clients across the UK. It says the living wage accreditation will serve as a symbol of its responsible business practices.
“We are proud to join the 1000-plus Scottish employers to have received this accreditation,” said director of legal services, Donald MacKinnon. “The decision to pay a living wage underlines our appreciation of every member of staff. We pride ourselves on being a good employer and by ensuring a wage that supports the cost of living we recognise that every employee forms an integral part of Law at Work.”
The accreditation bookmarks a successful period for LAW which follows the acquisition of Glasgow-based HR consultancy Square Circle. In the last year, the firm also made several key appointments and promoted a number of staff.
“In the last year the business has grown steadily, and one of the reasons we have emerged as a leading company in this competitive sector is through our commitment to being a responsible employer,” said MacKinnon. “Our achievements as a business could not be possible without the hard work of our employees.”
An initiative of the Poverty Alliance and supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Living Wage Accreditation highlights employers that choose to pay more than the legal minimum.
The real living wage is calculated according to the cost of living every November by the charity the Living Wage Foundation, and accredited firms are committed to any increase.
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “I am delighted to welcome Law At Work Ltd as an accredited living wage employer. We have seen more employers across Scotland join the living wage movement in the last year than ever before. They know that paying the real living wage is critical not only for the wellbeing of their staff but for the long-term success of their organisation, and that accreditation is a mark of a responsible business.”
The Alliance’s research shows that paying the real living wage helps businesses recruit and retain better staff, reduces absenteeism, and encourages higher productivity. The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation has improved its holders’ reputation, says 93 per cent of businesses who hold it.
It has been introduced to try to counteract in-work poverty as 182,000 children in Scotland live in poverty despite one person in their household being in work.
Accreditation is a simple process for all Scottish-based firms, requiring an online licence that doesn’t need oversight of payroll or accounts.
All companies need to do is pay their directly employed staff over the age of 18, as well as subcontracted workers, such as cleaners, the real living wage.
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