One of Scotland’s leading environmental businesses, WEEE Scotland Limited, has become the latest employer to gain Living Hours accreditation. Based in Glasgow, WEEE Scotland has been helping businesses transition to a circular economy, by supporting customers in moving towards a repair and remanufacturing model for their electrical assets.
The business has grown substantially over the past three years, following a successful repair partnership with Costa Express, and through significant infrastructure investment on the recycling side of the business.
With this growth in mind, Director, Lyndsay Stewart, felt it was important to commit to Living Hours as the business accelerates recruitment over this next period of development and said:
“Maintaining a fair work environment for our team is a key priority in our growth strategy, and gaining Living Hours accreditation is just one of the ways we hope to retain and grow a culture where employees feel valued and secure.”
Christine McCaig, Living Wage Projects Coordinator said:
“There are over 3000 Scottish-based employers that are committed to paying at least the real Living Wage, and it’s fantastic to see WEEE Scotland take further steps to protect their workers from low pay and insecure work by becoming Living Hours accredited.
The values that led them to commit to the real Living Wage are the same values that have led to their expanded commitment to fair work at a time when workers need it most”.
The Living Hours accreditation builds upon WEEE Scotland’s existing Living Wage accreditation which they achieved in 2022.
As Living Hours employers, the business commits to providing at least 4 weeks’ notice for every shift, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period; a guaranteed minimum of 16 working hours every week (unless the worker requests otherwise); and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked.
Research published in 2021 by the Living Wage Foundation showed that 11% of workers in Scotland are in insecure work and paid below the Living Wage. This is approximately 300,000 workers. The Living Hours standard was created to ensure that people have predictable working patterns and income, enabling them to better plan their lives.
In July 2021 Living Wage Scotland began delivering the Living Hours accreditation programme to increase the number of Scottish employers recognised for offering Living Hours alongside a real Living Wage. The scheme is delivered through the Living Wage Scotland programme at the Poverty Alliance and is funded by the Scottish Government.