Living Wage Week 2026: 25 Years of the Real Living Wage
It is Living Wage Week, which this year marks 25 years of the real Living Wage movement. We have been an accredited Living Wage employer since 2019, so here is what that means for us and why other small businesses might want to look into it.
Living Wage Week runs from 9 to 15 November 2026, and this year it marks 25 years of the real Living Wage movement. It is the Living Wage Foundation’s annual celebration of employers who choose to pay the real Living Wage, and as we have been an accredited Living Wage employer since 2019, we wanted to say a few words about what it means to us.
What is Living Wage Week?
Living Wage Week is a week of celebration and awareness for the real Living Wage, run by the Living Wage Foundation. Accredited employers share their stories, display their employer mark and encourage other organisations to look into it.
The real Living Wage is not the same as the government’s legal minimum. It is a rate that employers choose to pay, and it is set at a level that meets everyday needs. Employers who commit to it can become accredited by the Foundation.
Why it matters
Most of us would agree that a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work should cover the basics of life. The Living Wage Foundation says that nearly 17,000 accredited employers have, between them, put nearly £5bn back into the pockets of workers and transformed millions of lives.
It makes sense for business too. Paying fairly helps you recruit and keep good people, and when people feel valued they tend to stay. People who stay get to know your customers and your work, and that shows in the service you give.
What it means for O’Brien Media
We have been an accredited Living Wage employer since 2019. That means we pay everyone at O’Brien Media at least the real Living Wage, which is higher than the legal minimum. Accreditation also shows that we meet external standards for fair pay.
We made that decision because of our values of fairness and respect, which we describe in why we are proud to be a Living Wage employer. We don’t believe in completing web design projects with minimum effort, so we wouldn’t pay our team a minimum wage either.
For our clients, that means (as we explain in how you benefit from working with a Living Wage employer) a more consistent team who know your project and your business, and talented people working on your website. We also don’t see it as a one-off milestone. As costs rise and our team changes, we will keep reviewing wages, benefits and inclusion policies.
You can read more on our Living Wage employer page.
Thinking about it for your business?
If you employ people, Living Wage Week is a good moment to look into accreditation. There is no need to decide today. The Foundation’s good for business page explains what is involved and why employers sign up.
If you would like to hear how it has worked for a small business like ours, you are welcome to get in touch and we will be happy to talk it through.
