Report

The National Living Wage: A Ticking Time Bomb?

A Data-Driven Look at the Real Impact of the 2024 National Living Wage Increase

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On April 1st, 2024, the UK National Living Wage (NLW) jumped by 9.8%, giving millions of employees a much-needed boost – but leaving many businesses grappling with the unexpected costs. This report, powered by real-life salary data from the HR DataHub platform, takes a closer look at what’s happening on the ground.

What you’ll learn:

  • The Pay Squeeze: Pay gaps across industries are tightening, with differentials shrinking by an average of 10%. This is making it harder for businesses to keep fair pay structures and retain top talent.
  • Challenges for Companies: Higher wages mean higher costs, and businesses in sectors like retail and hospitality, where margins are thin, are feeling the pinch. Add to that potential staff dissatisfaction and disrupted pay hierarchies, and it’s clear that the NLW hike is reshaping the pay landscape.
  • Sector-Specific Insights: We dive deep into industries like retail, logistics, and hospitality, revealing how some roles are seeing major pay increases while others – especially at senior levels – are at risk of pay compression, which can hurt long-term motivation and retention.

How to manage the impact: The report doesn’t just highlight the issues – it offers solutions. From planning for future wage increases to offering transparent pay structures and rethinking reward systems, we outline ways businesses can manage the challenges of a rising NLW.

How HR DataHub can help: Find out how HR DataHub’s real-time salary data can help you stay ahead of pay trends, benchmark your salaries, and make smarter decisions in a fast-changing pay environment.

If your business is feeling the effects of the 2024 NLW increase, this report is your guide to tackling the budgetary challenges while staying competitive.