Independent recruitment company 24-7 Staffing has vowed to honour the new National Living Wage and use it as a starting point for pay for all candidates it places as well as its own staff.
Coming into effect next month, the National Living Wage has been set at £7.20 per hour for those aged 25 and over. While it does not apply to under 25s, all staff at Chippenham-based 24-7 Staffing will benefit, whatever their age.
Julian Thompson, managing director at 24-7 Staffing, which also has branches in Yate and Amesbury, said the company had decided not to discriminate against younger people, and had written to all its clients to let them know that the Living Wage would be adhered to.
He said: “The majority of the candidates we place are temporary staff, and it is these who we pay directly.
“Sixteen per cent of our candidates are under 25 and we felt as a responsible, ethical recruitment business we did not want to discriminate against any of our candidates based on their age.”
24-7 Staffing canvassed clients about their commitment to back the Living Wage and the vast majority were on board.
Client comments included: “I think it’s something that needs doing, I don’t agree paying two different rates as it’s likely to cause arguments among staff, I fully understand why you are doing it.”
“I’m not one to discriminate against ages of people, so as long as everyone is doing the same job then they should all be paid the same across the board.”
24-7 Staffing has already demonstrated its credentials as an ethical employer by becoming a platinum sponsor of Business Against Poverty, the social enterprise arm of the Wiltshire charity People Against Poverty.
Julian added: “We feel it is our responsibility to support the community in which we work, and paying the National Living Wage and backing Business Against Poverty are just two ways in which we can do so.”
24-7 Staffing was set up in 2004 in Chippenham, and provides permanent, temporary and contract staff for the driving, industrial, commercial and healthcare sectors.
Pictured: The 24-7 Staffing team
