In October 2018, Lorien joined the 4,600 UK businesses who voluntarily pay their employees in line with the real Living Wage. Taking this step was about making a promise to our people to protect their quality of life by always paying them a fair wage for a fair day’s work. 

The real Living Wage is based on the cost of living in the UK (including London, which is known as the London Living Wage) and is calculated every year to ensure that it remains reflective of real people’s situations. It applies to employees aged 18 or over, with the exception of apprentices. The real Living Wage is higher than the government’s set minimum wage. According to the Living Wage Foundation, 150,000 employees have received a pay rise as a result of the Living Wage campaign – highlighting just how many people could be affected by wages that don’t cover the bare minimum.

While Lorien already voluntarily pays our employees and contingent (PAYE and LTD) workers the equivalent of the Living Wage, we wanted to make our commitment official. As a recruitment business, we are acutely aware of how financial circumstances can drive decision making, affect mood and well-being, and influence the fulfilment of potential. By taking this stance, we demonstrate how we are invested in building a fairer and stronger society. It may seem like a small gesture, but it’s one that could affect the lives of thousands of people across the UK. 

Lorien’s decision to become officially accredited was also driven by a desire to empower other companies to follow suit.

Lorien’s CEO, Claire Marsh, said this on Lorien’s decision to pursue the accreditation:
"We implemented the Living Wage and London Living Wage some time ago, and are now proud to become an official accredited Living Wage employer. We are committed to supporting our employees in every aspect of their life and wanted to make our stance on this clear and visible, not only for our employees, but also for the countless other companies who may also be considering this. From increasing motivation and retention among employees to improving relations between managers and staff, it's proven that paying people fairly helps to build a strong business. We're taking the opportunity to create a more satisfied, motivated, and cohesive workforce, and we'd encourage others to do the same".