One of the things I am most proud of at Blake & Bull is just how long many staff choose to stay. Ian was employee no 1 in December 2016; before then it was just me and my old Land Rover. Ian is our general manager now, responsible for our team of 40 odd people!
I do think we are a good company to work for, the team will back me up (or else). We are doing good work, growing fast and trying new things - its exciting! In the long run though you have to recognise the value of the skills and experience in the team and pay accordingly. We don't always get it right but we try very hard.
I am most proud of the fact that we make sure all our team earn enough to cover their everyday needs. Currently at Blake & Bull no one earns less than £10.90 per hour, equivalent to £22,672pa. That is because we are an accredited member of The Living Wage Foundation. Every year they independently assess this figure and we adjust pay accordingly. It takes into account inflation of course so won't be pretty next year! It's just one of the things causing us to raise prices on installations, re-enamelling and conversions in January.
Whilst I am proud of this though there is no sense in which this is charity or going against the interests of the company. Every company should be paying this living wage.
No one works well when they are worried about money. No one works well when stressed about bills or breakdowns. Paying a fair wages makes for a happy, productive team. It makes our service better and, in the long run, our sales higher.
Your orders are despatched by a happy team in the warehouse; despatched with speed and accuracy. That is why, hopefully!, you'll order again. That is why we keep growing. That is why we pay a fair wage.
It's pure self interest really, we don't need to be a member if the Living Wage Foundation but I like the logo and I want you to know what sort of a company you are buying from.
