At Ethical Pixels, our name reflects more than just our approach to creating websites; it embodies the principles that guide every decision we make. We are thrilled to announce that we have recently been accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, reaffirming our commitment to ethical business practices and the fair treatment of our team.
What Is the Living Wage Foundation?
We were surprised to learn that the government had (cleverly – for them) rebranded the minimum wage for those 21 and over to the National Living Wage, even though the rate of pay doesn’t correspond to the actual cost of living in the UK.
The Living Wage Foundation champions a voluntary standard of pay that exceeds the government-mandated minimum wage. Unlike the National Minimum Wage, the real Living Wage is calculated based on the actual cost of living, ensuring that employees can meet their everyday needs with dignity. It’s a standard that resonates deeply with our values as a company that strives to lead by example in all aspects of its work.
Why This Matters to Us
From the very beginning, Ethical Pixels was built on the foundation of doing business the right way. Whether it’s developing accessible websites, donating time and resources to organisations in need, or ensuring that our practices align with our ethical code, we’ve always prioritised impact over shortcuts. Becoming a Living Wage employer is yet another step in demonstrating this commitment.
For us, this isn’t just about meeting a standard; it’s about creating an environment where our team feels valued, respected, and supported. In a world where cost-of-living pressures are mounting, we want our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. Paying a fair wage is one of the most direct ways we can contribute to their well-being.
Setting an Example in the Digital Industry
The tech and digital industries are not always known for their ethical employment practices. With remote work now the norm, it’s easier than ever for businesses to outsource to the lowest bidder, often at the expense of fair pay and good working conditions. We firmly believe that this race to the bottom is not sustainable and is fundamentally at odds with what technology should stand for: progress, inclusion, and opportunity.
By becoming an accredited Living Wage employer, we’d like to contribute to an example for others in the digital space. Ethical technology isn’t just about the solutions we build; it’s about how we treat the people who create them.
A Commitment to Ethical Standards
Our accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation is part of a broader promise we make to our team, our clients, and our community. Ethical Pixels will continue to:
- Offer remote work flexibility, allowing our team to balance their personal and professional lives.
- Promote diversity and inclusion within our workforce.
- Donate our time and resources to causes that align with our mission of making technology accessible and impactful.
- Prioritise the well-being of our employees and collaborators in all our endeavours.
Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as a Living Wage employer, but this is just the beginning. We’re committed to finding even more ways to uphold and elevate ethical standards in the work we do. Our hope is that by taking a stand, we inspire others—both within and beyond the digital sector—to follow suit.
We want to thank the Living Wage Foundation for their work in creating a more equitable society. And to our team, clients, and community: thank you for your continued support as we work to build a fairer, more ethical world—one pixel at a time.
For more information about the Living Wage Foundation and their work, visit www.livingwage.org.uk.
