Our firm hold corporate social responsibility close to the heart of everything we do. We look to do this both in the workplace and in the wider communities of London, Essex, and Kent.
Community Engagement
We have been working with the local communities we serve for over 40 years. Our work in the community has included supporting local schools and sports teams, to raising funds for local charities our employees have proposed. We also support local educational institutes, attending career fares and discussing careers in law with younger generations.
Day-to-day
A hybrid model of work allows us to mitigate the firms environmental impact by reducing travel miles. By offering videocall we reduce the amount of travel our clients need to do having a positive impact on the environment and their experience as a customer: flexibility is key for many dealing with legal issues.
Charity of the Year
We are committed to charity work and welcome staff to come up with new ways to make money for our chosen charity or a local charity. Previously we have supported charities such as Hope4BarkingDagenham (H4BD) who provide 24/7, year-round accommodation for people sleeping rough. We look forward to supporting a range of new charities over the years and always take our employees recommendations.
Local Community Sports Initiatives
We are also proud of our work supporting sports in the communities local to our firm. Working with local sports centres to put on sports tournaments and engage locals in exercise that is enjoyable.
Real Living Wage Employer
We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer, ensuring that everyone who works for our firm earns a liveable wage. With liveable wages our employees can support their families, and we see a boost in productivity and motivation as we deliver our essential legal services.
Independently calculated each year, The Real Living Wage is based on what employees and their families need to live. It includes staff aged 18 and over, not only over 25s as required by the Law. As we recognise that young people face the same living costs as everyone else.
How is the Real Living Wage different from the Government’s ‘National Living Wage’?
In April 2016 the Government introduced a higher minimum wage rate for all staff over 25 years of age. However, the Government’s ‘National Living Wage’ is not calculated according to what employees and their families need to live. Instead, it is based on a target to reach 60% of median earnings by 2020. Under current forecasts this means a rise to less than £9 per hour by 2020.
For under 25s, the minimum wage rates also consider affordability for employers. We want to ensure that all our employees earn a wage that meets the costs of living. Not just the minimum set by the Government.
What are the benefits?
Good for Business
By paying the real Living Wage we are voluntarily taking a stand, along with other like-minded employers, to ensure our employees can earn a wage which is enough to live on. That basic fairness is at the heart of what the Living Wage campaign is trying to achieve and why we choose to go further than the Government minimum.
More than 80% of London Living Wage employers believe that implementing the real Living Wage had enhanced the quality of the work of their staff. Two thirds of employers reported a significant impact on recruitment and retention within their organisation. Absenteeism had fallen by 25% on average. 70% of employers felt that the Living Wage had increased consumer awareness of their organisation’s commitment to be an ethical employer.
Good for Individuals
For people who are paid the real Living Wage it means the difference between just getting the Government minimum and earning enough to afford the things you need to live, like a decent meal, a warm home and a birthday treat for your children.
Many employees also report improved job satisfaction. An independent study found that 75% of employees reported increases in job quality because of receiving the Living Wage. 50% of employees felt that the Living Wage had made them more willing to implement changes in their working practices; enabled them to require fewer concessions to effect change; and made them more likely to adopt changes more quickly.
Good for Society
Low pay makes it difficult for employees to find time for community and family life. The causes of poverty are complex and to improve lives there should be a package of solutions across policy areas. The Living Wage can be part of the solution.
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