DUNFERMLINE, Scotland, December 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Benefits for the employee, the employer and the economy 

A Scottish living wage employer is urging businesses of all sizes to start paying enhanced basic salaries to staff.

As the issue of low pay continues to be big news, CORGI HomePlan, who employ 90 people in their Dunfermline, Fife, head office has been paying above the Living Wage to every worker since the company started in 2011.

High profile companies such as Chelsea FC have made headlines by becoming the first Premier League football club to become an accredited Living Wage employer and politicians on all sides are lining up to support the movement to improve the standard of living of the poorest paid workers in the country.

"It's great that the number of businesses offering the Living Wage has more than doubled in 2014," says Kevin Treanor, director of CORGI HomePlan. "But there are still an awful lot who don't - in Scotland the number is as low as 60 Living Wage employers.

"I am in no doubt that if more signed up, it would not only benefit the businesses concerned, but also the wider economy and society as a whole."

The Living Wage foundation is currently running a campaign to encourage the nations top 12 high street retailers to #stopscrooging and start paying the Living Wage. At present, just 35,000 workers in the UK earn the Living Wage, while 5.2million are in minimum wage jobs, according to Citizens UK.

CORGI HomePlan are one of only a handful of Living Wage call centres in the UK, who typically rely on a low basic and high bonus to motivate staff. And the benefits of paying the hourly rate of £9.15 in London and £7.85 outside the capital are clear for businesses of all sizes, according to Kevin Treanor.

He explains: "We knew that customer services would be key to our business success. As a result we decided that in order to attract the right calibre of customer services staff, we would pay an above-average wage.

"It's been the right decision. At £8 an hour, we pay more than the Living Wage, plus we offer the opportunity to earn bonuses.

"Our business is for the benefit of everyone who works here and the Living Wage is part of this. We like being known as a 'good' employer. I grew up and still live locally to where CORGI HomePlan is based, so knowing that I'm doing the right thing by the local community is important, too."

CORGI HomePlan's enhanced salary has also helped them recruit and retain a higher calibre of staff to their Dunfermline, Fife, call centre.

Kevin adds: "Turnover is always a concern in a call centre environment. Statistics from workplace performance charity Skills CFA in 2012 showed that the average annual staff turnover rate in call centres is 24 per cent.

"At CORGI HomePlan, we have that figure down to 7 per cent this year for staff who pass their probation period. We have staff joining us from other call centres, who operate close to us geographically, as our reputation has grown as a Living Wage employer. A lot of employees also come to us on a recommendation from friends and family, which is a further endorsement that we are doing the right things."

About CORGI HomePlan

CORGI HomePlan was founded in 2011 and offers boiler and central heating cover across the UK through a network of locally-based engineers.

SOURCE CORGI HomePlan