The Living Wage Foundation is pleased to announce that West Ham United Football Club, has today accredited as a Living Wage employer, becoming the third Premier League football club to sign up to the Living Wage.
Their Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at West Ham United receive a minimum hourly wage of £10.20. This is significantly higher than the statutory minimum for over 25s of £7.50 per hour introduced in April 2017. Almost 200 people will receive a pay-rise as a result of West Ham United's accreditation.
The real Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. The Living Wage is calculated according to the real costs of living.
Karren Brady, Vice-chairman of West Ham United, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have secured the Living Wage Foundation’s seal of approval as an accredited London Living Wage employer, and hope to act as a good example for all other Premier League clubs and big businesses in London.
“The Living Wage Foundation accreditation is something we have been working towards for a long time, including lobbying the Mayor to help encourage our landlords to commit to paying a fair day’s pay, and we are over the moon to now be in a position where we can finally become a recognised Living Wage employer.
“The football club isn’t just made up of the 11 players on the pitch, and by making this commitment we hope to ensure that West Ham United continues be a place where the best talents want to ply their trade, and London Stadium, Rush Green and Chadwell Heath are environments in which they can achieve their goals.
"We recognise the contribution of each and every employee at the club, and rewarding and retaining our staff is a major part of that. We take pride in the way we conduct ourselves as an organisation on and off the pitch and by doing the right thing and paying the London Living Wage, we hope this will urge other clubs to soon follow suit.
“The Living Wage badge is the mark of a responsible employer and West Ham United are joining a movement of over 3,700 employers across the UK who are making sure that all employees can live with dignity."
LIVING WAGE FOUNDATION
Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said:
“We are delighted that West Ham United have become the third Premier League football club to sign up as an accredited Living Wage employer, ensuring that all their staff receive a real Living Wage that covers the cost of living. That’s a pay rise for almost 200 people, including cleaners and staff at their training facilities.
“The Living Wage badge is the mark of a responsible employer and West Ham United are joining a movement of over 3,700 employers across the UK who are making sure that all employees can live with dignity."