# Third sector workers under pressure with 1 in 7 paid below real Living Wage - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/24/third-sector-workers-under-pressure-with-1-in-7-paid-below-real-living-wage/ - Published: 2022-06-24T08:40:00+01:00 - Author: Melanie May **One in seven third sector workers are paid below the real Living Wage, according to a report by the Living Wage Foundation, with low pay causing them harm and threatening the stability of the services they provide.** Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said: > > ## Advertisement > > [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) > “Many low paid third sector workers faced enormous pressures to make sure the > most vulnerable people in society were supported during the pandemic. Now, despite > already struggling to keep their heads above water, the 1 in 7 third sector workers > still paid below the real Living Wage face being swept away by the rising tide > of high living costs. >   > “Everybody needs a wage that meets their everyday needs, but it can’t be right > that so many of those who look after our loved ones and the most vulnerable in > society are struggling to afford even the basics. We strongly encourage all those > third sector employers that can afford to do so to commit to pay a real Living > Wage and for funders to provide enough to support real Living Wage jobs through > the grant-making process. The real Living Wage is a lifeline for workers during > these difficult times – and will help ensure a sustainable and resilient sector > in the future.” Key findings of the report include: * 14.1% of jobs in the third sector are paid less than the real Living Wage. * 16.6% of women in the third sector are paid below the real Living Wage, compared to 10.3% of men. * 71.3% of all below real Living Wage jobs in the third sector are held by women. * 25.7% of part-time jobs are paid less than the real Living Wage compared to 8.2% of full-time jobs. * 58.4% of 16-19-year-olds are paid less than the real Living Wage, as are 34.9% of those aged 20-24. * Areas with the highest levels of low pay are the North West (19.4%), East Midlands( 18.8%) and the West Midlands (17.8%). * 19.2% of those working in organisations with 10 employees or fewer earn less than the real Living Wage, compared to 5.9% of those working for those with 500 + employees. Separate public polling conducted by the Living Wage Foundation found that the public overwhelmingly back all third sector workers earning enough to live on, with 78% saying that directly employed and contracted-out staff should be paid a real Living Wage. The report, [All work and low pay? The Third Sector and the real Living Wage](https://www.livingwage.org.uk/news/low-paid-third-sector-workers-risk-being-swept-away-cost-living-crisis), is based on analysis of data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) and quarterly Labour Force Surveys (LFS). The report provides a number of next steps and recommendations for third sector employers, funders, sector bodies and local authorities to tackle low pay in the sector and improve working conditions. These include: * Accrediting as Living Wage Employer * Championing the Living Wage across relevant networks  * Accrediting as a Living Hours Employer   * For Funders, offering long-term and targeted funding models and using the power of investment to enable a better future for workers The report coincides with the recent announcement that the Living Wage Foundation will bring forward the announcement of the Living Wage rates for 2022-23 from November to September, so employers can implement them sooner to help workers and families during the cost-of-living crisis. * **[Lack of suitable banking services leaves charities struggling to manage finances](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/28/lack-of-suitable-banking-services-leaves-charities-struggling-to-manage-finances/)**( 28 June 2022) * **[Charity sector has pensions gap of 29%, survey shows](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/07/29/charity-sector-has-pensions-gap-of-29-survey-shows/)**( 29 July 2022) * **[Strategic management of charity reserves could enhance stability & agility of sector](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/10/18/strategic-management-of-charity-reserves-could-enhance-stability-agility-of-sector/)**( 18 October 2022)