Scottish Government Promoting Security and Fairness
The Scottish Government has become the first national administration in the UK to be accredited as a Living Hours employer following commitments to provide secure contracts and flexible hours.
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.
I am very pleased and proud that the Scottish Government has been recognised for leading the way on fair work and pay.
GRAEME
When approached holistically, this is best for employers and society as a whole as well as employees.
People should not be barely scraping by in precarious employment, and the SNP in government is doing all it can within the limits of devolution to build a fairer economy.
I would like to thank all those employers here in Angus who are signed up as Living Wage and Living Hours accredited, and would encourage all to follow
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.
FAIR WORK SECRETARY, NEIL GRAY
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.
Background
Living Hours accreditation is awarded by Living Wage Scotland and businesses must meet the following criteria:
- payment of the real Living Wage
- providing a contract reflecting accurate hours worked and a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours a week (unless the worker requests otherwise)
- ensuring at least four weeks’ notice of shifts and guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this period
The real Living Wage rate of £12.00 for employees outside London was announced in October 2023 and applies to newly accredited employers. All existing accredited employers will need to implement the new rate from 1 May 2024.
