SUPERMARKETS VOLUNTARILY BOOST PAY TO ABOVE THE LIVING WAGE – BUT WILL OTHERS FOLLOW?

Aldi and Lidl have given January jobseekers a reason to be cheerful – but voluntarily boosting wages for their lowest-paid workers. The question now is: Will other firms follow? After a shocking 2016 (we’re looking at you Sports Direct, Amazon, Deliveroo and Uber), could 2017 be the year that big employers finally realise that fair pay makes sound business sense?

As the supermarkets have basked in positive PR for increasing salaries to above the National Living Wage (and even above the voluntary Living Wage), it seems likely that other big employers will take note and may consider doing the same.

Just weeks after Lidl said 5,500 of its workers would get at least £8.45 an hour (with those in the capital also netting £9.75) from March 2017, Aldi announced last week that it will pay staff at least £8.53 an hour – £9.75 for those in London – from the start of February. The voluntary Living Wage is £8.45 outside London and £9.75 in the capital.

The two German supermarkets appear to have started a wage war, after both chains have said their approach to pay has helped them attract the best staff as it rewards them for the growth they have enjoyed at the expense of the major supermarkets since the financial crisis. Aldi’s graduate scheme has also been voted better than Google’s.

PAYING FAIR: Aldi and Lidl are leading the way on wages

In 2016, dozens of big firms received negative publicity for paying their staff low wages, including Sports Direct, Amazon, Deliveroo and Uber. 

* WILL MORE EMPLOYERS RAISE WORKER’S WAGES THIS YEAR? 
After dozens of big employers were shamed over low pay last year, could 2017 be the year that firm finally realise the PR value of being known as a great employer? Have your say below…