SETTING THE STANDARD IN FAIR WAGES AMIDST THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Setting the Standard in Fair Wages Amidst the Cost of Living Crisis

A recent study conducted by the government, discovered that over 500 employers are failing to pay their employee’s minimum wage. As a result, these employers have been ordered to repay those that were underpaid, and also have to pay an additional financial penalty.

We were completely shocked and saddened to read this disheartening news and especially to see this happening within the healthcare sector. 

To see the full article, click here.

We truly value our staff and take care to ensure that we pay accordingly.  We felt that it was important to highlight this article and the issues some workers face whilst working for other companies. We also thought it may be helpful to share a few bits of useful information to others to help ensure they are being paid fairly.

What is the Minimum Wage?

The national minimum wage is set to increase on 1^st April 2024 to the rates outlined below. Legally this is the minimum amount a person can be paid per hour of work.

What can I do if I am concerned that I am being Underpaid?

If you believe you are being underpaid, visit www.gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what you can do to rectify this.

Workers can also call the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100 or visit their website for free, impartial and confidential advice.

What are some of the Common Causes of Minimum Wage Underpayment?

See the link below for some of the common reasons why employers are found to be underpaying employees.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/calculating-the-minimum-wage/a-checklist-for-employers

How does Alert Health 24 ensure their staff are paid fairly?

1. Pay our staff wages that exceed industry standards.

We believe that our staff are our greatest asset, and as such, we are committed to compensating them fairly. Not only do we meet minimum wage requirements, but we go above and beyond by offering wages that exceed industry standards because we believe that our staff should be rewarded for the fantastic care they provide. This commitment ensures that our employees not only earn a living wage but are also able to thrive and build a secure future for themselves and their families.

2. We pay our staff Holiday Pay on top of their wages.

We believe the well-being of our healthcare staff is crucially important in ensuring we provide exceptional levels of care. We recognise the importance of work-life balance and therefore offer holiday pay on top of regular wages, allowing our staff to take well-deserved time off without sacrificing their financial stability. By prioritising rest and rejuvenation, we believe our team can perform at their best, delivering exceptional service to our clients and fostering a positive workplace culture.

3. We empower our staff to enhance their skills and advance their Careers.

We also believe that our staff should have the opportunity to study for qualifications whilst they are working for us. We empower our team members to grow in their roles, enhance their skills, and advance in their careers. This commitment not only benefits our employees individually, but also makes a huge difference to our clients and the service users receiving care.

We offer great training opportunities to ensure that our staff stay updated on industry best practices, new technologies, and evolving healthcare standards. We also actively promote the various training opportunities we offer our staff.

See below for a previous article detailing apprenticeship opportunities at Alert Health 24.

Apprenticeship Opportunities

It is very important that when choosing a healthcare agency to work for, you can trust that they will pay you fairly and treat you well. This is the very least we would expect to do for our staff, and we hope that this becomes the industry norm.

If you haven’t joined us yet but would like to join a healthcare agency that is here to make a difference and work with their staff to make the workplace a better place, see all our vacancies at the link below.

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