A movement to tackle insecure work is gathering pace amid the cost-of-living crisis, as the Living Wage Foundation announces 50 UK employers have signed up to provide secure and stable hours to their staff with a Living Hours accreditation.
- Over 45,000 workers stand to benefit from Living Hours measures so far;
- Early adopters in Scotland include major employers like abrdn and SSE plc;
- Employer led movement aims to tackle short-shift culture which sees one third of UK working adults given less than a week’s notice of shifts.
Living Hours employers are challenging the UK’s culture of precarious employment, which sees nearly 1 in 3 working adults facing soaring inflation in jobs that provide less than a week’s notice of shifts. The number and security of hours people work is a key driver of in-work poverty, alongside their rate of pay.
Living Hours sees employers commit to providing at least 4 weeks’ notice for every shift, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period. Living Hours employers also provide a guaranteed minimum of 16 working hours every week (unless the worker requests otherwise), and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked. This commitment extends to regular third-party contractors.
Living Wage Scotland began delivering the Living Hours accreditation in 2021 to increase the number of Scottish employers recognised for offering Living Hours alongside a real Living Wage. In Scotland, there are currently 19 Living Hours accredited employers including Dear Green Coffee Roasters, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, and Molke.
Jennifer Clake, Design and Marketing Assistant, Molke said:
“Before working at Molke I was in a zero hours contract. At first, I thought the flexibility would be beneficial but in reality it was very precarious and I would be asked at a moment’s notice to work. As staff, we were never fully clear about our rights and it was an unsustainable way for us to make a living. The security and clarity I get working at at Molke has made my life a lot easier. I can make plans with the knowledge they won’t be interrupted and I know exactly what money is coming in each month.”
Lisa Lawson, Founder, Dear Green Coffee Roasters said:
“When we discovered there was a framework and an accreditation for Living Hours we immediately wanted to know more. Living Hours is especially important as it protects those in insecure work, giving them a more reliable employment offering and the respect that all employees deserve. We were proudly one of the first businesses in Scotland to achieve accreditation, this speaks volumes to our team that their welfare is our top priority.”
Christine McCaig, Living Wage Scotland Projects Co-ordinator said:
“It is fantastic to see employers taking further steps to protect their workers from low pay and insecure work by becoming Living Hours accredited. We hope to see many more expand their commitment to fair work at a time when workers need it most.”