Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions has achieved Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension accreditation ensuring security and stability for their staff now and in the future. Evolution is based in the Scottish Borders and provide state of the art, innovative equipment for bottling and packaging lines to food and drinks sectors. These accreditations contribute to the ambition of Evolution to deliver Fair Work Standards as well as contributing to the local Action Group of Living Wage employers working towards making Scottish Borders a Living Wage Region.
This Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Evolution receive a minimum hourly wage of £12.60. This rate is higher than the government minimum for over 21’s which is currently £11.44 per hour.
A Living Hours commitment means providing at least four weeks’ notice for every shift when applicable, and a guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled. Living Hours employers also guarantee a minimum of 16 hours every week (unless the worker requests otherwise), and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked.
Additionally, Evolution’s Living Pension pledge will help staff build a pension pot to provide an income that meets basic needs in retirement.
This announcement demonstrates the importance that Evolution BPS places on setting standards, and ensuring staff have the resources they need to have security now and in the future.
Susan Brown, HR Manager at Evolution BPS said:
“At Evolution we recognise that our team is our greatest asset, we have always aimed to deliver above minimum salaries and pension payments. Working with Living Wage Scotland has given us a real insight into what it takes to deliver security of income to our staff, both now and in retirement, this has led us to enhance even further what we already offer. We are proud to shine a light on what it means to provide wage, hours and pension security, and to champion this in our Region in support of the Scottish Borders Living Wage Action Group.”
Robin Tatler, Co-Chair of Scottish Borders Living Wage Region Action Group said:
“This is great news for employees in the Scottish Borders. We are delighted that Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions have become the first employer in the Borders to have the triple accreditation of Living Wage, House and Pension, demonstrating a commitment to providing a package of Fair Work benefits for their employees. The aim of the Scottish Borders Living Wage Action Group, set up in 2018, is to encourage every Borders employer to pay the Living Wage and become accredited, and we hope that the example that Evolution has set will be picked up by those employers not already accredited.”
Seonaid Mann Co-Chair of Scottish Borders Living Wage Region Action Group said:
“I am delighted to see that Evolution Bottling and Packaging is now a triple-accredited employer, committed to the Living Wage, Living Hours, and Living Pensions standards. This achievement reflects their unwavering dedication to providing their employees with fair wages, secure working hours, and a dignified retirement. It is clear to see that they believe that investing in their workforce is not only the right thing to do but also essential for fostering a motivated and thriving team that drives success.”
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said:
“We are delighted that Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions has achieved Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension accreditations. They join a significant and growing movement of employers across Scotland who aim to protect workers against low wages and insecure work.
“Employers recognise that security and stability can help create a happier, healthier and more motivated workforce and we hope to see many more employers join Evolution BPS in going further than the minimum.”
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.
Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 68,000 people in Scotland and put £600 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.
Research by the Living Wage Foundation shows that over 9% of workers in Scotland are in insecure work and paid below the Living Wage. This is approximately 250,000 workers. The Living Hours standard was created to ensure that people have predictable working patterns and income, enabling them to better plan their lives.
The Living Pension standard builds on the work of the real Living Wage by providing stability and security for workers now and in the future. The standard sets out the minimum annual contribution required through an average working life to reach this savings level, and employers commit to making sure all workers can access this.