Becoming a Local Living Wage employer
How much is the Local Living Wage?
The Local Living Wage rate for west Cheshire is currently £10.90 per hour. The rate is reviewed annually and implemented every April.
The Local Living Wage rate is an hourly rate. You can work out the annual salary by calculating the Local Living Wage rate multiplied by hours worked per week multiplied by 52. For example the Local Living Wage as an annual salary might be £10.90 x 37.5 x 52 = £21,255.
Do employers have to pay the Local Living Wage rate by law?
The Local Living Wage is a voluntary higher rate of base pay. It provides a benchmark for responsible employers who choose to pay more than the National Minimum Wage.
Who does the Local Living Wage apply to?
The Local Living Wage applies to all staff over the age of 18 who work regularly on your premises. Apprentices, trainees and interns are exempt.
How do I sign up?
To sign up, you just need to make a commitment to paying your employees at least £10.90 per hour. There is no fee and it only takes a couple of minutes.
Will someone check up on the businesses that have signed up to the Local Living Wage?
No, by signing up a business is simply announcing publicly that they are paying their staff a minimum of the Local Living Wage. If something changes for the business and they are no longer able to do this, or should an employee approach us and say that they are not paid a Local Living Wage, we will have a discussion with the business to see what to do next. There will not be a formal process of monitoring or checking up on businesses.
Will I be blacklisted for not signing up to the campaign?
No, the campaign is a positive one. The benefits of paying the Local Living Wage will be promoted and businesses that sign up to it will also receive a certain amount of positive marketing. We will listen to businesses that do not or cannot pay it and try to see how obstacles could be overcome.
How to guide
Signing up to the Local Living Wage campaign could not be simpler. If you pay all your staff the Local Living Wage, please sign up to the charter.
If you are planning to in the next 12 months then let us know by emailing: locallivingwage@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk