[UK] Buckingham Palace ad for live-in housekeeper role paying below minimum wage

Ahead of the Jubilee celebrations, an advert for a live-in housekeeper at Buckingham Palace has appeared stating that the role pays £7.97 an hour; £1.53 less than the national minimum wage for people over 22, The Big Issue reports.

The advert offers a salary of £19,900, with the “option to live-in (for which there is a salary adjustment) with meals provided.”

The actual salary adjustment, which has reportedly been removed from the advert since takes the wages down to £7.97. This is £1.91 below the minimum wage, even for applicants aged 22 or 21.

It is not illegal to do this; bosses who employ live-in staff are allowed to deduct money from wages to account for the costs of accommodation, currently set at a maximum of £8.70 per day or £60.90 per week. And the job does come with a generous 15 per cent employer contribution pension scheme, plus benefits.

Nevertheless, Unite Hospitality - a leading union - has labelled the basic wage being offered by “one of the richest landowners in the country” as “obscene”.

“This case serves to highlight the rampant exploitation of migrant domestic workers allowed through lack of legislative protections which allow rich households to abuse and exploit mostly migrant women workers,” a spokesperson told The Big Issue. 

The advert states that previous housekeeping or hospitality experience would be an advantage, but is not essential. Most importantly, the ad says, candidates should have a “proactive approach and ability to tackle new challenges.”

Based in either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, the role would involve travelling to other Royal residences, and a “unique working environment”.

Some online comments have responded by saying that the ‘perk’ of getting to live in the Royal Estate is worth the pay cut. Buckingham Palace is in Westminster, the second most expensive borough in London, where it costs an average of £3,870 per month to rent a flat through estate agents Hamptons.

However, the controversial advert has come out at a time when rates of pay are at the forefront of people’s minds. In response to the cost of living crisis, with pay packets decreasing in value as inflation soars, employers have been signing up to pay the ‘real living wage’ at a record rate. 

Over 10,000 employers including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal London Yacht Club and British Library have signed up to pay the independently calculated rate, currently set at £9.90 in most of the UK, and £11.05 in London.

Unite Hospitality said, “We would encourage Her Majesty to become a Living Wage employer and to sign up to our Fair Hospitality Charter to ensure Buckingham Palace workers are treated fairly.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, “The hourly rate in the advert was published in error. The full remuneration package for this role includes the offer of accommodation and meals, which makes the offer very competitive for similar roles in London.”

Source: The Big Issue

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

Ahead of the Jubilee celebrations, an advert for a live-in housekeeper at Buckingham Palace has appeared stating that the role pays £7.97 an hour; £1.53 less than the national minimum wage for people over 22, The Big Issue reports.

The advert offers a salary of £19,900, with the “option to live-in (for which there is a salary adjustment) with meals provided.”

The actual salary adjustment, which has reportedly been removed from the advert since takes the wages down to £7.97. This is £1.91 below the minimum wage, even for applicants aged 22 or 21.

It is not illegal to do this; bosses who employ live-in staff are allowed to deduct money from wages to account for the costs of accommodation, currently set at a maximum of £8.70 per day or £60.90 per week. And the job does come with a generous 15 per cent employer contribution pension scheme, plus benefits.

Nevertheless, Unite Hospitality - a leading union - has labelled the basic wage being offered by “one of the richest landowners in the country” as “obscene”.

“This case serves to highlight the rampant exploitation of migrant domestic workers allowed through lack of legislative protections which allow rich households to abuse and exploit mostly migrant women workers,” a spokesperson told The Big Issue. 

The advert states that previous housekeeping or hospitality experience would be an advantage, but is not essential. Most importantly, the ad says, candidates should have a “proactive approach and ability to tackle new challenges.”

Based in either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, the role would involve travelling to other Royal residences, and a “unique working environment”.

Some online comments have responded by saying that the ‘perk’ of getting to live in the Royal Estate is worth the pay cut. Buckingham Palace is in Westminster, the second most expensive borough in London, where it costs an average of £3,870 per month to rent a flat through estate agents Hamptons.

However, the controversial advert has come out at a time when rates of pay are at the forefront of people’s minds. In response to the cost of living crisis, with pay packets decreasing in value as inflation soars, employers have been signing up to pay the ‘real living wage’ at a record rate. 

Over 10,000 employers including the Royal Albert Hall, Royal London Yacht Club and British Library have signed up to pay the independently calculated rate, currently set at £9.90 in most of the UK, and £11.05 in London.

Unite Hospitality said, “We would encourage Her Majesty to become a Living Wage employer and to sign up to our Fair Hospitality Charter to ensure Buckingham Palace workers are treated fairly.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, “The hourly rate in the advert was published in error. The full remuneration package for this role includes the offer of accommodation and meals, which makes the offer very competitive for similar roles in London.”

Source: The Big Issue

(Links and quotes via original reporting)