Sundial Group’s Surrey based hotel and conference centre, Barnett Hill, has been accredited as a Living Wage employer – a historic first for the hospitality industry.
The group has committed to pay all its employees at its Guildford based venue at least the hourly wage of £7.85 (significantly higher than the national minimum wage of £6.50).
Sundial Group’s team building company, Teamscapes and venue finding agency, SOS, have also received the accreditation. Furthermore, it has made a commitment to phased pay rises at its other two venues over the next two years, with the aim to bring all staff onto the Living Wage.
Hospitality sector ranks high in paying below Living Wage
Research by KPMG last year found that 5.2 million people in the UK earn less than the Living Wage. Occupations with the highest proportion of sub-Living Wage earners were all found to be in the hospitality sector – affecting 90% of bar staff, 85% of waiting staff and 80% of kitchen and catering assistants.
Tim Chudley, Managing Director of Sundial Group, said:
“We are proud to be leading the hospitality sector as Barnett Hill becomes the first hotel and conference centre to receive the Living Wage accreditation. The hotel sector has been slow to respond to the call for better pay and this step differentiates Sundial Group as an employer that truly values and rewards its lowest paid team members. We are also committed to the accreditation for our other venues, Highgate House and Woodside, within the next two years.”
About The Living Wage
The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. The Living Wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. 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.
The Living Wage Foundation recognises and celebrates the leadership shown by Living Wage employers across the UK. There are currently over 1100 accredited employers.
For more information about Living Wage click here
About Sundial Group
Sundial Group are experts in events and a multi award-winning group with three dedicated meeting venues, a venue-finding agency and a team building company.
For more information about Sundial Group click here