Optalis to pay all colleagues Real Living Wage

Optalis to pay all colleagues Real Living Wage

Hundreds of care workers recently received a pay rise as Optalis Shareholders, Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead demonstrate their support to paying Real Living Wage.

From the 1 April 2022 all colleagues will be paid above the living wage. This latest increase to a starting rate of £10 per hour for care worker colleagues, widens the pay gap between Optalis and the minimum National Living Wage, which is set to increase to £9.50 per hour for those over the age of 23 in April 2022. Additionally, it is higher than the Real Living Wage, which will increase to £9.90 for non-London workers.

It has long been recognised that care workers can experience low wages, leaving them on the breadline, despite them providing essential, front-line support for vulnerable people. Poor wages in the sector are also attributed as a factor affecting staff retention, pushing more brilliant care workers out of the industry.

David Birch, Chief Executive of Optalis said: 

“We witnessed their commitment and dedication first-hand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is only fair that we ensure their work is recognised and compensated fairly.” 
“We already pay all of our people above the minimum wage, to be able to raise this rate to above the Living wage is only right, given the vital role they play to support those who need it most in our community.”
“As we look forward to our services developing in the coming months and years, these significant pay rises recognise our colleagues’ excellent work and skills. We continue to work towards our ambition to become the employer of choice within our sector. Strengthening our comprehensive package of pay and benefits, alongside opportunities to develop skills to support our people to forge an exciting career in our immensely rewarding sector.”