Building sustainable and responsible business practices

Learn more about our sustainability partnerships, our involvement in Good Business Charters, and how our accreditations can impact Social Value in procurement. If you are a multinational employer or an investment firm, you can find out more about our Global Living Wage work and how accreditation factors into responsible investments.

How we can help lay the foundation for responsible business with our accreditations

In today's business landscape, the movement towards responsible business is more critical than ever.

Whether framed as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) for investment companies or multinationals, social sustainability, social impact, or social value in procurement, these principles are essential for businesses striving to demonstrate their commitments publicly and to align with global standards like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks.

At the Living Wage Foundation, our accreditation programmes support these responsible businesses strategies by enhancing social commitments, ensuring they are not only good for business but also good for workers and society.

Supporting your Social Impact through accreditation

Living Wage accreditation

The Living Wage ensures fair pay for your employees.

The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate based on living costs. Paying the Living Wage means your staff earn a wage which meets everyday needs - like the weekly shop, or an urgent trip to the dentist.

Living Hours accreditation

The Living Hours accreditation ensures fair working hours and conditions for your employees.

Living Hours means your staff will be provided a minimum of 16 hours work per week, decent notice for shift cancellation and a contract that accurately reflects the number of hours that they work.

Living Pension accreditation

The Living Pension accreditation ensures your employees never face pension poverty in retirement.

It is a voluntary savings target for employers, to help workers build up a pension pot that will provide enough income to meet basic everyday needs in retirement.

Our accreditations support a number of social commitments which underline social impact and ESG considerations as well as social value in procurement.

Social Mobility
Human Rights and Supply Chains (UK and Globally)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Local Economic and Community Development
Mental and Physical Health

See how our different accreditations can support your particular area of focus.

Partnerships

We work closely with a range of partners in the responsible business space to provide comprehensive support for businesses striving to improve their social impact. This includes:

These partnerships enhance the value of our accreditations, offering additional resources and expertise to help businesses achieve their goals.

Good Work Charters

Our accreditations are highlighted within various "Good Work" charters, such as:

And are recognised as evidence of compliance within various other systems, such as:

B Lab’s BCorps Certification
Social Value Portal TOMs

These charters serve as benchmarks for responsible business practices, and our accreditations can help businesses meet these standards, further solidifying their commitment to social and environmental responsibilities.

Social Value in Procurement and Contracts

Incorporating social value into procurement processes is a powerful way to enhance the impact of your business. Our accreditations can be a critical differentiator in contract bids, demonstrating a commitment to fair employment practices and Social Commitments that resonate with clients and align with public sector priorities. Whether you're a service provider or a client, leveraging our accreditations can improve your overall ESG score and competitive positioning.

Key Impact Areas:

Competitive Advantage in Bidding
Enhanced Contractual Social Value
Alignment with Public Sector Policies

Learn more about how accreditation can enhance your social value offer.

Global Impact

As businesses operate on a global scale, responsible practices must extend beyond national borders. The Living Wage Foundation acknowledges the importance of a global perspective, offering support for multinationals looking to implement fair wage practices across their global operations. Start with a pilot accreditation in the UK by exploring our Living Wage Accreditation and work with our Global team to extend these benefits worldwide.

Find out more about the Global Living Wage

Responsible Investments

For investors and investees alike, our accreditations provide a clear framework for reducing risk and demonstrating a commitment to sustainable business practices. Accredited businesses are better positioned to attract socially conscious investors, aligning with frameworks like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhancing their ESG ratings. While Investors can show leadership through embedding the Living Wage into investment decisions and through encouraging portfolios to pay fair wages. Explore our Living Wage Accreditation, Living Pension Accreditation, and Living Hours Accreditation to see how they can contribute to a robust investment strategy and to your Social Impact.

Directly Relevant SDGs:

1. No Poverty
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Indirectly Relevant SDGs:

3. Good Health and Wellbeing
4. Gender Equality
10. Reduced Inequalities