Everton become Premier League’s second Living Wage employer

Everton FC have this week become the second Premier League club to commit to paying the Living Wage.

The move, forming part of a wider two-year engagement process involving internal and external stakeholders, will see the Toffees call on sub-contractors and agencies to adhere to the Living Wage Foundation’s guidelines for those employed as part of contracts with the club.

The Living Wage status will see Everton ensure that, over the next three years, more than 700 contractors working for the Blues get a pay rise amounting up to as much £2,000 extra per year.

Further, 250 of EFC’s casual/matchday employees have seen their wages go up.

Prof. Denise Barrett-Baxendale, the club’s deputy chief executive and director, said: “Here at Everton we are committed to being a first choice employer and becoming Living Wage accredited is a natural step towards that.

“We have been working hard behind the scenes and consulting with our staff and stakeholders; it is extremely important to us that we treat all of our colleagues well and reward people fairly in terms of their pay.”

She continued: “Supporting the accredited Living Wage is quite simply the right thing to do; it improves our employees’ quality of life but also benefits our business and society as a whole.

“Becoming accredited is only one element of our ‘People Plan’ which has also seen us review our grading structure and we are working towards launching a new rewards and recognition programme as well as introducing greater flexibility to our employee benefits scheme.”

The director of the Living Wage Foundation, Katherine Chapman, welcomed the accreditation.

She commented: “We are delighted that Everton Football Club have become the second Premier League football club to sign up as a Living Wage employer, ensuring that all their staff – from caterers to match day staff – receive a real Living Wage that covers the cost of living.”

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