LIVING HOURS

Providing alongside a real Living Wage

Payment of the real Living Wage remains a fundamental part of the solution to in-work poverty, however, the shape of low-paid work has changed.

Security of hours is the other side of the coin when it comes to solving in-work poverty.

Precarious work disproportionately affects our lowest-paid workers in industries such as retail, health and social care. Research from the Living Wage Foundation in August 2023 concluded that over 9% of workers in Scotland are in insecure work and paid below the Living Wage - approximately 250,000 workers. This is why we welcome the commitment from the Scottish Government to support the delivery of the Living Hours accreditation programme, launched by the Living Wage Foundation in 2019. 

The Living Hours programme builds upon the existing Living Wage accreditation. Employers who join the scheme commit 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)  
  • a contract that accurately reflects hours worked

Download our Living Hours Employer Guide to find out more. Please note that you must be an accredited Living Wage employer to proceed with Living Hours accreditation, if you are not yet Living Wage accredited please click here

Living Hours Guide

If you are ready to take the next step or have any questions about the  Living Hours programme, please do not hestitate to contact us.

Contact us

In August 2023, the Living Wage Foundation published their report "Precarious pay and uncertain hours: Insecure work in the UK Labour Market." This highlights the extent of insecure and precarious work practices which are hitting those on the lowest incomes hardest.

Living Hours Report

Living Wage Scotland work alongside Living Hours accredited employers, to learn more about their journey and the impact this accreditation has had on their business and workers. With funding from the Scottish Government, we look forward to engaging with more employers in Scotland to explore Living Hours alongside the real Living Wage to ensure that more workers achieve financial stability at a time when they need it most. 

"it is right that a company like SSE should guarantee higher standards for workers. This is fundamental to ensuring there is a fair and just transition to net zero."

John Stewart, SSE HR Director

"Becoming a Living Hours employer is a proud moment for us as at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home as we have always believed in our team being guaranteed good standards of hours they will work."

Lyndsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

"Everyone deserves to be paid enough to live on and to be respected with contractual employment that represents fairness, transparency and security."

Lisa Lawson, Founder, Dear Green Coffee Roasters

"Living Hours goes beyond base pay to give workers security of hours and working patterns. This is so important to give people financial security, as well as the ability to plan and manage their work-life balance."

Greg McCracken, Social Policy Manager, abrdn

"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."

Lyndsay Stewart, Director, WEEE Scotland