Red Balloon Educational Trust is excited to announce that we have become an accredited Real Living Wage Employer! The Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate voluntarily paid by over 12,000 UK businesses that believe their staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs, and we’re delighted to commit to being one of them.
About the Campaign for a living wage
“The campaign for a Living Wage has cross-party political support and is a movement of independent businesses, organisations and citizens who believe a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.
It was started by Citizens UK – the national home of community organising, in 2001. Together with communities and activists across the country, we have been campaigning since – to ensure that everyone can earn a real Living Wage that meets living costs, not just the government minimum.
Living Wage employers found that paying a decent wage, as well as being the right thing to do, had real business benefits. They talked of lower staff turnover and a better bottom line. Staff felt valued so they went the extra mile. The more Living Wage employers talked about the benefits, the more others wanted to get involved. And in 2016 the Government increased the minimum wage for over-25-year-olds (now over 23-year-olds). They called the new higher rate a ‘national living wage’. The problem is that the government minimum isn’t based on what people need to live on. With more than 4.8 million people paid less than the real Living Wage that meets the cost of living, the job is far from done. For people paid the real Living Wage it means the difference between being able to afford the things you need for a decent standard of living, and just getting the government’s minimum – things like healthy food, a warm home, and a birthday treat for your children. Over 12,000 organisations across all sectors have joined our movement, including half of the FTSE 100 and household names like the Houses of Parliament, Nationwide, Oxfam, ITV, Chelsea Football Club and LUSH.” (Real Living Wage Foundation)
Why we joined
At Red Balloon, we care about our staff’s wellbeing as well as our students. Part of making sure our staff are happy, healthy and well-equipped to do the incredible work they do, is ensuring that they are paid enough to live, support their families and look after their health and wellbeing.
Red Balloon has always been a place where we value and understand that each and every member of staff contributes to making our Centres the warm and welcoming places they are. Our commitment to the Real Living Wage follows this ethos. It applies to all staff, from the cleaners that keep our Centres tidy and safe all the way through to our Head Teachers and Directors.
We are proud to say that as of February 2023, all staff working for RBET (RBAir, Red Balloon Worthing and Central Services) earn the Real Living Wage or above.
Each September the Living Wage Foundation releases new Living Wage rates which better reflect the present cost of living. Implementing these helps RBET continue to support our wonderful staff through our ever-changing economic climates.
