Paying the Oxford Living Wage
ODS is proud to be one of the growing number of local organisations choosing to pay the Oxford Living Wage, joining a citywide movement that puts fairness, people, and social value at the heart of what we do.
As a council-owned company, ODS is rooted in Oxford and the communities we serve every day. Our teams play a vital role in keeping the city clean, safe, and running smoothly, and we believe the people who look after Oxford should be able to afford to live and work here too. Paying the Oxford Living Wage is a simple but meaningful way we create social value, supporting our staff while contributing to a stronger, more inclusive city.
Q: What motivated ODS to adopt the Oxford Living Wage initially?
A: "ODS was motivated to adopt the Oxford Living Wage from the start to ensure our staff were fairly paid in one of the most expensive cities in the UK. We wanted to go beyond the legal minimum, support employees’ wellbeing, and demonstrate a long-term commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive local economy. It was about valuing our people and being at the forefront of responsible, ethical pay."
Q: How would you describe ODS’s core values and ethos? How does paying the Oxford Living Wage align with your values?
A: "ODS’s core values and ethos are guided by its five CARES values—Commitment, Aspiration, Respect, Engagement and Safety—reflecting a strong profit for a purpose approach that puts people, wellbeing and doing the right thing at the heart of everything it does. Paying the Oxford Living Wage is a direct expression of these values in action, demonstrating respect for employees, a commitment to going beyond minimum standards, and a genuine focus on wellbeing so staff feel valued, supported and able to do their best work."
Q: ODS pays the Oxford Living Wage — why is that important?
A: “Oxford’s a beautiful city, but it’s no secret that living here is expensive. Housing costs, groceries, everyday bills - it all adds up. We believe the people who look after the city deserve to actually live here, not just work here. Paying the Oxford Living Wage is one way we generate real social value for our staff and the wider community.”
Q: How does it benefit the staff and the city?
A: “When our teams feel valued and supported, it really shows. Stronger teams deliver better services for residents, cleaner streets, safer spaces - and happier staff. That’s social value in action, and we see the impact every day.”
Q: Would you encourage others to follow suit?
A: “Absolutely. For ODS paying the Oxford Living Wage isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s part of who we are, and it’s an investment in social value. In a city where the cost of living is so high, fair pay benefits everyone: staff, their families, and the wider community.”
Join the movement: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/living-wage
