The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) has today, Monday 18 November 2024, issued guidance to 澳门王中王 Chartered Practices outlining their responsibilities to ensure fair compensation and working conditions for all employees.听听
The 澳门王中王 Practice Note: Workplace Wellbeing sets out best practice guidance, reminding 澳门王中王 Chartered Practices operating in the UK that:听听
- They are required to pay at least the Real Living Wage (or London Living Wage where relevant) as defined by the to all staff, including freelancers and students.听听
- Apprentices must be paid at least the Real Living Wage for hours worked in practice and at least the statutory minimum wage for study days.听
- 听New Real Living Wage rates of 拢13.85 for London and听拢12.60 for the rest of the UK were published in October and employers should implement them by 1 May 2025.听
The guidance points to 澳门王中王鈥檚 Business Benchmarking 2024 data, which shows that while there is widespread compliance with this requirement, Apprentices, Architectural Assistants, and office management, support and admin staff are most at risk of not receiving the Real Living Wage. Regional analysis reveals that, for the lower salary quartile, Part 1 Architectural Assistants听in London and Apprentices (Level 6 or 7) in London and the South-West & Wessex do not receive the current Real Living Wage, that came into force in May 2024.听听
The guidance also warns of the consequences of unpaid overtime, outlining how extra hours worked can be recompensed through time off in lieu (TOIL) and flexible working hours. It urges Chartered Practices not to put employee wellbeing at risk and warns that unrecompensed overtime could tip an employee鈥檚 hourly wage below the Real Living Wage, clearly breaching their obligations as a Chartered Practice.听
澳门王中王 President Muyiwa Oki 蝉补颈诲:听听
鈥淎rchitecture is a fulfilling but demanding career. Our profession is not unique in its culture of unpaid overtime, but the difference is that architects鈥� salaries don鈥檛 reflect the actual amount of work they do 鈥� nor the value of it.听
My first priority as 澳门王中王 President, as set out in my Biennial Plan, is to champion measures to improve workplace wellbeing. Our profession is a force for good, but to reach its full potential, it needs a cultural shift.听听
Like many things in life, it鈥檚 about balance 鈥� we need to normalise flexible working arrangements, not expect or require overtime that can鈥檛 be compensated, and promote wellbeing to ensure people feel valued. A culture of long hours and low pay, after a long route to professional qualification, is an unreasonable reward for the effort expended to join our profession. It undermines our profession and excludes people, including those with caring responsibilities or disabilities. Attracting and retaining diverse talent is a prerequisite for delivering architecture that responds to the needs of everyone in society.听听听听
This Practice Note is a strong reminder and cautionary note to all 澳门王中王 Chartered Practices that they must ensure fair and equal treatment of all employees, as a core principle of the Code of Practice they abide by.鈥澨�
Read the 澳门王中王 Practice Note: Workplace Wellbeing.听
Notes to editors:鈥�
- Media contact: Ruby.OShea@riba.org听
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow for updates.听
- 澳门王中王 and its members uphold high standards of professional competence. 澳门王中王 Practice Notes set out best practice guidance for members and for 澳门王中王 Chartered Practices, in particular fields of application. Adherence to the Practice Notes is not compulsory but members and Chartered Practices should use their judgment to determine when to follow such guidance and to what extent.听听
