The Scottish Government has become accredited as a Living Hours employer following commitments to provide secure contracts and flexible hours. They are the first national administration in the UK to commit to the scheme.
The announcement was made by Fair Work secretary Neil Gray at the beginning of Living Wage Week, which highlights the benefits to businesses, employees and the economy of paying the real Living Wage.
The Scottish Government champions fair work through its employment practices and policies, such as specifying that organisations applying for public sector grants must pay at least the real Living Wage and provide channels for staff to have a say in the workplace. In 2015 it became the first government in the UK to pay at least the real Living Wage.
On a visit to Carluke food manufacturer R & W Scott, a real Living Wage and Living Hours accredited employer, Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray said:
“This is a very welcome recognition of the Scottish Government’s commitment to and promotion of fair work principles. No one should be working in an insecure, unstable job and not be paid the real Living Wage. Fair work and fair pay make sense for both workers and employers across all sectors, helping to improve staff retention and productivity, reduce recruitment costs and contribute to a skilled and motivated workforce. In turn, that benefits the wider economy, including by boosting spending power in local communities.
“Good progress has been made on the real Living Wage in Scotland, with more than 3,400 employers now accredited and proportionally more over 18s in Scotland earning the real Living Wage than in any other UK country. Now we are looking to go further by championing the real Living Hours scheme.
“However, only full employment powers will allow us to truly shape Scotland’s labour market to support an economy that is fair, green and growing. One that helps to alleviate in work poverty and create more secure, sustainable and satisfying jobs.
“I encourage businesses across Scotland to look at the scheme and sign up to ensure they are providing the best possible work conditions for their staff.”
R & W Scott Managing Director Stephen Currie said:
“Gaining Living Wage accreditation in 2019 was a fundamental part of really establishing ourselves as a fair and responsible employer. Committing to Living Hours was the next logical step in our journey, and this really helps our employees, especially against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Our staff are guaranteed an agreed minimum amount of working hours every week. This stability in knowing their regular income allows them arrange things like travel plans and childcare well in advance.
“As a Living Wage and Living Hours accredited employer we also benefit from a stronger employee brand, increasing staff retention and improved workforce morale. We are not facing the same challenges in recruitment as many of our competitors, primarily due to the fair and flexible reputation we have established since accreditation.”
Christine McCaig, Projects Co-Ordinator, from Living Wage Scotland said:
There are over 3400 Scottish-based employers that are committed to paying at least the real Living Wage, and it’s fantastic to see employers 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.”
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said:
“We are delighted that Scottish Government have become an accredited Living Hours employer, ensuring workers have security of contracts and hours alongside a real Living Wage.
Living Wage and Living Hours accreditation are examples of actions all employers can take to help set us on a path to a new kind of economy in Scotland, that has community wellbeing and shared prosperity at its heart. I hope to see many more employers in Scotland expand their fair work commitment by also becoming Living Hours accredited.”