Its not confidential information for a company to disclose if they pay the living wage

[Marue]

I'm trying to up my ethics. Now looking at a few big purchases and I keep emailing companies to ask if everyone earns the living wage but I just keep getting replies that its confidential. Just a cop out right?

Yes a cop out. Like any job advertised without wages/salary = as low as you will work for (subject to legal min)

Definitely a cop out. All they have to do is confirm that no one is under the Living wage. You are not asking for a list of individuals salaries.

Absolutely a cop out. Another way of saying 'no' or 'hr don't know what that is'.

I think it's a reasonable assumption that if the reply is anything other than, "yes" than the answer is "no"...

Some may pay their staff the LW, yet not be an "accredited living wage employer" (who are listed on the LW website. To be accredited, all subcontractors - eg cleaners - need to be on a LW too. If they're midway through a cleaning contract, they're unlikely to retender. It's a minefield!