What does it mean to be a Real Living Wage employer?

Living Wage Week is celebrated every year in the UK to recognise the employers who pay the Living Wage Foundation’s Real Living Wage and encourages other employers to do so. The week-long celebration takes place from 14 to 20 November 2022.

DUSA is a proud real living wage employer and has been shortlisted for a Living Wage Champion Award, in the Retail & Hospitality Champion Category by Living Wage Foundation.

A real Living Wage is the wage rate a business or organisation pays to its employees for the work they do. These organisations support the belief that their staff deserve a wage which meets everyday needs and over 300,000 employees have received a pay rise as a result of the Living Wage campaign.

The real Living Wage rates are higher because they are independently calculated based on what people need to get by. That’s why it is recommended that all employers that can afford to do so ensure their employees earn a wage that meets the costs of living, not just the government minimum.

What does a Living Wage Mean to an International Student

Accredited Living Wage employers like DUSA have been certified by the Living Wage Foundation. Working for DUSA has been an enriching experience for me so far. Being an international student, it is always a concern to feel included. Getting paid for the work I do here is one of the things that make me feel included and give me assurance that my work is being valued.

As an employee, the first parameter of job recognition is the wage we get paid for the efforts and hard work we put into the designated role. It acts as a huge motivational factor for the employees when they are not classified from where they belong, rather they are made to believe that they belong here and are very much a part of the community.

DUSA: A Proud Real Living Wage Employer

Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank, CEO of DUSA said, ‘as an employer that truly values its people, paying the living wage is the very least we can all do. If we are to attract and retain the best talent in Dundee, we must strive to go further than this, ensuring that where we can we devote resources to ensuring that our staff are not impacted by financial insecurity, as living costs soar. Our aim at DUSA is fundamentally to pay people well for the work they do whilst ensuring they have opportunities to develop and progress within the Association, as part of our workforce development and succession plan.’

President of DUSA Nyasha Mutembwa said, ‘the living wage for me is so important, especially once you get to University. In a time like a cost of living crisis I hope us being such a provider gives confidence to students, to understand how much their work is worth to us and the community we serve. You deserve a fair wage no matter your age, that matches the quality we aim to provide at DUSA. Paying the living wage is actively being part of creating a kinder, greener, diverse global student community.’

When asked about the very essence of being one of the Real Living Wage Employers, Yvonne Douglas, HR Manager at DUSA and a member of the Dundee Living Wage Action Group says, “We value the contribution that our staff make towards DUSA and want to ensure that they receive a fair rate of pay, this is why we became a living wage employer. We also wanted to ensure that our lower paid members of staff are all paid the same rate regardless of their age”.

Councillor Mark Flynn, Convener of city development said,“The importance of the Living Wage is clear to be seen. It’s pulling people out of poverty.  Not paying the Living Wage has really got to be questioned by a major number of companies. I reckon that DUSA doing it is a bonus and highlights a need to keep that living wage as a starting point for a salary going forwards.  Not only does it take people out of poverty, but it helps during the cost of living crisis.  Undeniably, it is something positive, not just for the student association, but the staff that benefit and subsequent benefits for the economy”.

If you want to work with us, you can explore the current vacancies.

Here is the DUSA team giving you an insight into what it is like to work at DUSA: