Member Article

Hodgson Sayers celebrates living wage accreditation

The Living Wage Foundation is pleased to announce that specialist construction and roofing contracting company, Hodgson Sayers, has been accredited as a Living Wage employer. The company, which was formed in 1979 and employs over 100 staff, is the first in the region from the construction sector to gain accreditation and is urging others to follow its example.

The Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at the Stanley-based company regardless of whether they are permanent employees or third-party contractors and suppliers, receive a minimum hourly wage of £7.65 - significantly higher than the national minimum wage of £6.31.

The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. The Living Wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income Standard’ for the UK. Decisions about what to include in this standard are set by the public; it is a social consensus about what people need to make ends meet.

This adds to a memorable year for the company - which has pledged that apprentices will form 10% of its workforce going forward - having won two national awards at the Intelligent Membrane Association (IMA) Awards, held in London in May. Earlier this year, the company scooped an industry award with its client, ISOS Housing and has been recognised in the NE Business Awards for developing the careers of talented youngsters in the area through its range of apprenticeships schemes.

Proud of its North East heritage, the company is committed to sourcing and developing a skilled workforce, providing employment for talented individuals working in Durham and the wider area.

Hodgson Sayers, Financial Manager, Mike Wade, said: “There are two key issues that Hodgson Sayers believes is critically important about the Living Wage.

“Firstly, we view it as a ‘no-cost’ option. It may involve us paying more initially, but the impact is that, long term, we save on recruitment and training costs as we retain our staff much longer. Likewise, when it does come to recruitment, we attract a better quality of staff. This all contributes massively to our desire to attain a reputation as an employer of choice.

“Secondly, The North East is a very community focussed region and as such the management team is committed to contributing to the wellbeing of the people and communities from which we recruit. We are more than happy to offer The Living Wage as a minimum to our employees, as we know that well paid people have greater self-worth and will be able to interact more positively within their environment, as well as to society . It is important to Hodgson Sayers that we play our part in enabling this to happen.”

Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with public backing from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Living Wage Foundation Director, Rhys Moore said: “We are delighted to welcome Hodgson Sayers to the Living Wage movement as an accredited employer.

“The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the Living Wage now. The Living Wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay.

“We have accredited over 700 leading employers, including Hodgson Sayers, ranging from independent printers, hairdressers and breweries, to well-known companies such as Nationwide, Aviva and SSE. These businesses recognise that clinging to the national minimum wage is not good for business. Customers expect better than that.”

Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, a passionate supporter of the Living Wage, said: “I believe a business has a responsibility to its employees and wider society to pay a living wage. It is not only good for the employee but also good for business and the living wage is an idea whose time has come. That is why I am delighted to see Hodgson Sayers have been awarded this accreditation. It is notable that this is the first company in the construction sector within the region to be awarded and I fully support their attempts in promoting the living wage.”

North East Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “I would like to congratulate Hodgson Sayers on securing this accreditation and welcome their proactive and responsible approach to the Living Wage. It always inspires me to see a company that not only recognises the value of high quality employees, but also the important role it plays in the community it serves.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hodgson Sayers .