- 40 Scottish employers have now committed to provide secure and stable working hours with the Living Hours scheme
- Over 37,000 employees working for Scottish based Living Hours employers
- The Living Hours movement aims to tackle short-shift culture which sees 250 thousand workers in Scotland trapped in low-paid, insecure jobs
The Living Hours scheme to tackle insecure work is gaining momentum amid the cost-of-living crisis, with 40 Scottish employers now signed up to provide secure and stable hours to their staff through Living Hours accreditation, including Scottish Government, who announced their Living Hours accreditation at the start of Living Wage Week.
Living Hours Employers are leading by example, challenging the culture of precarious employment, which sees 250,000 workers in low paying jobs that that provide little security.
Living Hours employers commit to providing at least 4 weeks’ notice for every shift with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this period, a guaranteed minimum of 16 working hours each week (unless the worker requests fewer), and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked.
Living Hours employers also ensure that employees earn at least the real Living Wage. The 2023 JRF Poverty in Scotland report highlights the connection between wages and hours in tackling in-work poverty stating that “Employability should be focused on helping people get into good work and good work must treat hours and pay as equals.”
Research from the Living Wage Foundation in 2023 revealed that workers paid below the real Living Wage are 5 times more likely to be in insecure work than those paid above, underlining the importance of continued efforts to engage with more employers on Living Wage accreditation.
The ‘Precarious Pay and Uncertain Hours’ report also found that the Insecurity Premium- the term given to the additional cost implications faced by those in insecure work- could amount to as much as £600 per year for some workers. This is as a result of things such as travel costs for last minute shifts or paying for childcare when shifts have been cancelled.
Early adopters of the Living Hours measures in Scotland include SSE, abrdn and Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. In recent months Living Wage Scotland have also awarded Living Hours accreditation to retailer The Edinburgh Bookshop, Transport UK Group, law firm Harper Macleod and Scottish Borders Housing Association.
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said:
“We are celebrating the growing movement of Living Wage accredited employers, and we want to highlight employers who have chosen to go beyond their Living Wage commitment, to ensure workers also have secure and predictable hours alongside the real Living Wage.
“Over the past year, low pay and insecure work has caused more households to be swept into the rising tide of in-work poverty. Reaching 40 accredited Living Hours employers is a significant milestone that shows the growing momentum behind the movement for secure hours and decent pay in Scotland.”
Julia Mulloy, Chief Executive at Scottish Borders Housing Association said:
“We are delighted to have achieved Living Hours accreditation. This year marks the 20th anniversary of SBHA’s creation and central to the success of the past two decades has been the dedicated and skilled SBHA Team. This accreditation, along with our status as a certified Living Wage Employer, underlines our commitment to fairness and equality in employment and our determination to attract and retain the best people.”
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.”