What Is the Real Living Wage?

The real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate of pay that is based on the cost of living. At the heart of the Living Wage movement is a simple idea – that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. In 2016 the government introduced a rise in the minimum wage for over 25s, they called this new statutory minimum the ‘National Living Wage’.

However, this is not based on the real cost of living. That’s why thousands of UK employers have voluntarily committed to going further, by paying all their staff the real Living Wage. The real Living Wage is based on the actual cost of living, taking into account the cost of housing, food, travel and other essentials. It enjoys cross party support and is paid by thousands of employers, including over one third of the FTSE 100.

NECOS & the Living Wage Foundation

We are a Recognised Service Provider proudly working with the Living Wage Foundation to promote the real Living Wage. We believe in paying a decent wage to our staff, who carry out vital work for many organisations, and therefore always provide a Living Wage costed bid to all our clients. This gives our clients the chance to decide if the Living Wage is right for their organisation.

Could you be a Recognised Service Provider?

• Will you commit to ensure that all core staff (those not tied to customer contracts) are paid the Living Wage rates?
• Could you promote the benefits of paying the Living Wage to your customers and provide this as a costed option when pricing contracts?
• Would you like to be part of a strategic community of Service Providers that support and promote the Living Wage?
• Do you believe in contributing to ending low pay in the UK’s lowest paid service sectors?

For more information on becoming a Recognised service Provider visit the Living Wage Foundation website or call Living Wage Foundation on 020 7043 9882

Armed Forces Covenant

NECOS recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. In recognition of the commitment demonstrated by those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families NECOS are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. For more information on how you can support our Armed Forces please visit the Armed Forces Covenant website.

Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) Construction Protocol

As a provider of Key Front-Line workers to the Construction Industry NECOS are signatories of the GLAA Construction Protocol.

What is the Construction Protocol?

It is an agreement for those involved to work collaboratively with the GLAA to share information that will help stop or prevent the exploitation or abuse of workers. This could be through promotion of the agenda with peers and your supply chain, right through to encouraging others to share information with the GLAA where labour exploitation is suspected of occurring.

Who are the GLAA?

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is an arm’s length body of the Home Office who are authorised under the Modern Slavery Act to investigate and prosecute offences of exploitation within the labour market. Only the GLAA, National minimum wage team and Employment standards agency, outside of the police, are authorised to ‘police’ and regulate the UK labour market.

If you would like more information about the GLAA Construction Protocol please email: construction-protocol@gla.gov.uk or visit their website.

People Matter Charter

As part of our continued work with the Supply Chain Sustainability School we are signatories of the people matter charter

Why have we signed the Charter? As an employer and labour supply business we are employing people & working with organisations who employ people for us. As a result, we have responsibilities associated with people, from recruitment, to development and retention. It is apparent to us that going beyond treating people as a commodity helps us to attract the talent that is out there, and by supporting them to grow we are growing.

By signing the People matter Charter we are demonstrating our commitment to engaging and developing our workforce and are supporting the industry to improve labour standards throughout the supply chain.

If you would like to know more about the People Matter Charter please visit the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s website.