The University of Dundee has been accredited as a real Living Wage employer.
The University has been paying the real Living Wage since 2014 but sought accreditation to reinforce its commitment to Dundee’s ambitious plans as a Living Wage City and to help encourage other employers to follow suit.
The real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate based on the cost of living and is paid voluntarily by employers. The rate is currently £10.90 and is calculated annually by The Resolution Foundation on an analysis of the wage that employees need to earn in order to afford the basket of goods required for a decent standard of living. This basket of goods includes housing, childcare, transport and heating costs.
Professor Shane O’Neill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost of the University said: “I am delighted that we have been able to reaffirm our commitment to the Real Living Wage through accreditation with Living Wage Scotland.
“I hope this will further strengthen the city of Dundee’s ambition to become a Living Wage City.”
The University worked with UNISON towards the accreditation. Phil Welsh, of UNISON, said: “The Dundee University Branch of UNISON have campaigned long and hard to ensure the University signed up to be an accredited Living Wage employer. Poverty pay is something which every employer must address, and accreditation is the first step on that ladder.”
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland manager, said: “We’re delighted the University of Dundee University has become an accredited Living Wage employer.
“The University joins a growing movement of over 3000 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need to get by. The University of Dundee is a prominent institution and a large employer in the City, and their Living Wage accreditation signals significant progress in the drive towards making Dundee a Living Wage City. We hope that more employers will be inspired to join the Living Wage movement by becoming accredited.”
Dundee became the first place in the UK to achieve recognition for its ambitious plan to become a Living Wage City, a place-based approach to driving uptake of the real Living Wage by local businesses.
The University of Dundee is one of the largest employers in the city, with more than 3000 staff. The University will work with suppliers to encourage paying of the Real Living Wage throughout all of its activities.
Speaking on behalf of Dundee Living Wage Action Group, Dundee City Council City Development convener Councillor Mark Flynn said: “I’m delighted that the University of Dundee has become an accredited Living Wage employer.
“We are living through some challenging times, especially with the cost-of-living crisis, so this increase in people’s wages will have a significant impact. The University is one of the biggest employers in the city, and this latest accreditation will help drive the city to become a fairer place for people to work and live.
“I would encourage any business out there thinking of becoming accredited to get in touch or attend any information event. The Living Wage Action Group is here and ready to help and support you to become a Living Wage accredited employer.”
Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said, “We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real Living Wage can offer protection from those rising costs
“Congratulations to the University of Dundee on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”