Why We Became a Living Wage Employer at incognito®

Why We Became a Living Wage Employer at incognito®

Sep 11, 2025Kim Wiseman

At incognito®, protecting people is at the heart of everything we do. From shielding travellers against mosquito-borne diseases to reducing the impact of harmful chemicals on the planet, our mission has always been about safeguarding health and wellbeing. 

We’ve always paid the real Living Wage, but this summer we were officially accredited as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage Foundation. This formal recognition reinforces our long-standing commitment to protecting people — not just travellers, but also our own team.

Why the Living Wage matters

Across the UK, millions of people are in work but still struggle to make ends meet. In London alone, 14.4% of jobs pay less than the real Living Wage - that’s over 650,000 workers not earning enough to cover basic living costs. Too many people are forced into making tough choices between essentials such as rent, bills, and food.

The real Living Wage, set by the Living Wage Foundation, is the only UK wage rate independently calculated according to the cost of living. Unlike the government’s minimum wage (£12.21 per hour for over 21s), the real Living Wage reflects what people actually need to get by. This year’s rates are £12.60 across the UK and £13.85 in London.

Our commitment

Everyone working at incognito® has and continues to earn at least the London Living Wage of £13.85 per hour – significantly higher than the legal minimum. This decision is about fairness, dignity, and aligning our business with our values.

By accrediting with the Living Wage Foundation, we’ve joined over 16,000 other responsible employers who believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Together, this movement has already secured more than £3.6 billion in pay rises for low-paid workers since 2011, making a real difference to millions of lives.

Why it matters to us

Our people are at the core of what makes incognito® unique. Whether they’re formulating our award-winning repellents, supporting our customers, or managing sustainable supply chains, every team member contributes to our mission of protecting people and the planet.

By paying the real Living Wage, we’re giving back to the people who make our success possible. It’s a simple but powerful way of saying: we value you, and we want you to thrive both inside and outside of work.

The benefits of fair pay

Research shows that Living Wage Employers benefit from improved staff motivation, stronger retention, and a better reputation. But for us, the decision was never just about business. It’s about doing the right thing. Fair pay reduces financial stress, increases wellbeing, and helps build a more equal society.

As the UK’s leading ethical and natural insect repellent, we believe that making this commitment strengthens our position as a business with purpose.

Looking ahead

We’re proud to have taken this step, but it’s just the beginning. At incognito®, we’ll continue to challenge ourselves to do better - whether that’s through sustainability, innovation, or how we support our team.

Together with the Living Wage Foundation, we’re working towards a future where everyone earns enough to live on, with dignity and security.

👉 Learn more about the campaign at the Living Wage Foundation.

 

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