Local businesses are being encouraged to pledge their support to a new good employer charter which aims to boost Croydon’s economy by supporting the local supply chain.

Launched at the Croydon Economic Summit, the Croydon Good Employer Charter asks businesses to commit to working in partnership with the council towards key principles which will benefit their business and staff.

Signatories to the charter commit to paying their employees London Living Wage, a wage rate higher than the government’s National Minimum Wage because it is calculated according to the cost of living. They also agree to support the creation of jobs and training opportunities for Croydon residents by considering them for positions in their organisation and where possible employing locally.

The charter also requires signatories to support the local economy by buying local and investing in local businesses and to being an inclusive employer by promoting equality and diversity in the workplace and implementing best practice for employee support.

More than 20 companies signed up to the initiative after hearing at the conference from a panel of local businesses including Ikea, Dotmailer and Purley Business Improvement District on why they had signed up to the pledge and the impact it had on their business.

Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for economy and jobs, said:

“I am delighted more local businesses have pledged their support to the Good Employer charter. Croydon’s vision is for all businesses in the borough to become charter signatories to build a network of good employers who will work with us to achieve a dynamic, diverse and inclusive Croydon economy which will benefit both them and their staff.”