The Living Wage Foundation is pleased to announce that OVO Energy, one of the UK's fastest growing independent energy suppliers, has become the 1,500th accredited Living Wage employer in the UK.
The company, which employs over 850 staff, is currently ranked 25th best medium sized company to work for in the UK by the Sunday Times and became the first ever energy supplier to be awarded Which? Recommended provider status earlier this year. As part of its unwavering commitment to being a great employer, OVO today joined a growing group of leading businesses acting to end low pay through implementation of the Living Wage to their directly employed staff and their contracted workforce.
Rhys Moore, director, Living Wage Foundation said:
We are delighted to accredit OVO Energy as the 1,500th Living Wage employer. The Living Wage is now a truly UK wide movement and recognised as a mark of responsible business. We have accredited 1,500 leading employers, ranging from independent printers, bookshops and breweries, to well-known companies such as Nationwide, Aviva and Nestle. These businesses recognise that clinging to the national minimum wage is not good for business. Customers expect better than that.
Kim Atherton, Chief People Officer, OVO Energy commented:
All of our direct employees are already paid above the living wage; but we've raised the bar now to ensure fair wages for any of our contractors too. We are proud to be part of a growing number of businesses that recognise the living wage as the minimum remuneration standard.
Neil Jameson, director, Citizens UK said:
Citizens UK is proud of the growth and development of the Living Wage. Today's announcement securing the 1,500th accredited employer is a fantastic achievement. But there's still a long way to go to tackle the shocking situation we find ourselves in today, where half of those in poverty live in a household where someone has a job. We believe that work should be the surest way out of poverty and that's why we will continue to act and encourage those businesses who can, to pay the Living Wage. This is about dignity for working people.