to judge an employer that doesn't pay at least a living wage?

[Objection]

I am passively job hunting at the moment and have noticed a huge amount of jobs that are paid below a living wage - I can't help but give a mental black mark against the companies that don't pay their staff a living wage.

I'm trying to think of why it would be acceptable; a job is a job, after all and employees are free to leave (though not much of an argument), and small independent companies may not have a big enough budgets...
but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
AIBU to immediately judge a company for paying so little?

[expecting to be told I am!]

Really ThePriory ? there are a lot of people that find the NMW quite acceptable for the job they do. All sorts of people earn the NMW and manage on it. What a ridiculous thing to say. Everyone I know who is on NMW would rather be on that than not have the work.

I dont employ anyone. I cant afford too I work for myself I dont claim any benefits other than child benefit.

I am not a drain at all.

Im just saying it doesn't pay to try and work to better yourself.

I couldn't afford staff even at minimum wage. Small businesses have it tougher than most can imagine.

Why not help them instead of paying out for benefits I dont know.

I have two jobs and handed in my notice to one. I can survive off second job but would like to have another as it would.make life more comfortable - but im not going to go for.something that I don't enjoy - thus I'm keeping an eye on vacancies but not actively job hunting.
I'm not whinging about anything. I'm trained and qualified and my standard salary is about double NMW so nothing to do with my own salary at all - im.just astonished at how many ads there are out there for appalling wages

Sorry just trying to explain the "passive" comment.

I understand that smaller businesses may struggled but it doesn't make it any better for the employees

There are various people other than yourself who might arguably have some responsibility for ensuring you have enough money, but actual or potential employers do not.

Ok, FraidyCat, I'll bite. Who else, aside from an employer, is responsible for ensuring that an employee has a living wage?