Word Worker press release:

A leading independent recruitment company has pledged to honour the new National Living Wage and pay at least that to all the candidates it places, as well as its own staff, regardless of age.

The new National Living Wage comes into effect in April and has been set at £7.20 per hour for those aged 25 and over. However, it does not apply to those aged under 25.

24-7 Staffing, based in Chippenham, has decided to extend the Living Wage to all staff, including those under 25.

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.

“The majority of the candidates we place are temporary staff, and it is these who we pay directly,” he said. “16 per cent of our candidates are under the age of 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. 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 amongst 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. Recently, it became a platinum sponsor of Business Against Poverty, a social enterprise arm of the 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.”