Living wages, lasting impact: Empowering L’OCCITANE Group employees

As a Certified B Corp™, our commitment to creating positive change for people and the planet is at the heart of everything we do.  At L’OCCITANE Group, we believe implementing a robust living wage policy is both a moral imperative and a business necessity. By aligning with global living wage standards, we contribute to efforts to reduce poverty and foster greater economic stability for workers worldwide. Living wage policies create a ripple effect that benefits individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. By ensuring fair pay, we enhance employee satisfaction and retention while also boosting productivity.

What is a living wage?

At L’OCCITANE Group, we define it as the wage level necessary to afford a decent standard of living for workers and their families, taking into account local circumstances and calculated based on the work performed during regular hours. The United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have declared it a fundamental human right.

Certification process

In order to qualify for Living Wage certification, L’OCCITANE Group has successfully collaborated, as an affiliated company, with both the Fair Wage Network and Living Wage Foundation and greatly values their ongoing guidance and support. The former certifies our Group’s global affiliates, while the Living Wage Foundation oversees certifications in the UK. To get the ball rolling, the Group submitted compensation data to these certifying bodies, which evaluate employees’ wage levels against local living costs and gather employee feedback to ensure accuracy. Employees complete a survey to verify the accuracy of the company-provided data, underscoring our commitment to the transparency of the process. Once eligibility is verified, the certifying body issues the certification to the respective affiliate. The first Group affiliate to have achieved Living Wage certification as a payor was in October 2023. By the end of 2024, 39 affiliates had been recognised as Living Wage payors, rising to 43 by March 2025.

Making progress together and celebrating a year of milestones

In 2023, L’OCCITANE began implementing its living wage policies across global operations, a complex process that involved comprehensive assessments of living expenses and benchmarking against industry standards. To track our progress, we established key performance indicators (KPIs) measuring employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity. Additionally, we evaluated impact rates using data such as length of service, turnover costs, and wage satisfaction gathered during employee exit interviews.

Living Wage levels are typically higher than the legal minimum wage in most countries. They are determined based on local living costs, ensuring that employees receive a fair and sustainable standard of living. By March 2024, 50 percent of L’OCCITANE Group employees were earning a living wage, and just one year later, we are proud to have surpassed 90 percent, with the remaining employees in the process of certification as we work toward 100 percent.

These achievements are a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our employees, who have embraced our living wage initiatives at every level of the organisation. Their collective efforts, in collaboration with HR, business strategy, and budgeting teams, have created a more equitable workplace and improved the well-being of individuals and families. The power of this cross-functional collaboration has been instrumental in helping us reach this milestone and move closer to our goal of 100 percent certification.

According to Samuel Antunes, CFO of L’OCCITANE Group, "Our implementation of fair wage policies, supported by rigorous assessments and benchmarking, has improved employee morale, reduced turnover rates, and boosted productivity. It underscores the business case for doing what is right"

Overcoming challenges

Balancing fair compensation with financial sustainability is a significant challenge. Ensuring consistency across global operations while addressing stakeholder concerns requires careful planning. Yet, we remain steadfast. By leveraging our B Corp™ network, we are fostering industry-wide collaboration and sharing best practices with our peers through initiatives such as the EcoVadis Living Wage Working Group and the UN Global Compact Living Wage Peer Working Group.

A proud commitment

As a Certified B Corp™, we strive to create meaningful change for people and the planet. This commitment not only reduces poverty but also fosters economic stability and a more equitable society.

Mathieu Rouquette, L’OCCITANE Group Compensation & Benefits Director, shared: "I’m proud to be part of a Group dedicated to ensuring 100 percent of employees earn a living wage, whatever their place or area of work. All our Brands and Business Units have made financial security and well-being a priority, committing themselves to making this a reality for everyone, year after year. This certification reflects our core values, and it is a privilege to be part of such a collective effort.”

By embracing ethical principles, we contribute to a workplace and a world founded on fairness, dignity, and shared success, ultimately benefiting both employees and communities.

Why a Living Wage matters - Discover