January 2025
How can Fair Work help businesses and organisations?
Fair Work is about good work and inclusive workplaces. Thousands of businesses across Scotland are already putting Fair Work into practice.
The Scottish Government encourages every employer and organisation to think about whether they could make changes, large or small, that would help them to realise the benefits that Fair Work can offer to their staff and business. These benefits include improved recruitment and retention of staff, better staff engagement, increased diversity and innovation, and improved bottom-line performance.
Fair Work is made up of five themes. These are described below along with information on how they can help businesses and where you can find out more.
Fair work is……
Security:
What does this mean: Secure contracts, predictable hours and access to flexible working, no zero-hour contracts, payment of the real Living Wage, giving opportunities for hours of work that can align with family life and caring commitments, sick pay and pension arrangements.
How will this help: Offering secure, well-paid jobs gives workers a reason to stay with their employer. This results in increased employee motivation, willingness to adapt and can reduce turnover costs such as recruitment and training.
Find out more:
The benefits – Living Wage Scotland
Flexible Working Guides & Resources – Flexibility Works
Templates for employers | Acas
Effective voice:
What does this mean: Seeking staff input to business decisions, a safe environment with open channels of communications between managers and workers, one-to-one meetings, team meetings, staff surveys and employee representation. Effective voice could also include membership of a trade union.
How will this help: Involving workers in offering solutions and ideas, as well as providing effective channels for raising concerns, means people will feel valued and motivated, improving your business productivity and retention.
Find out more:
Work and employment law advice | Acas
Fulfilment:
What does it mean: Good working conditions and environment, access to training and development, and providing workers with influence and some control over aspects of their role.
How will this help: Work that is fulfilling allows workers to produce high quality goods and services and is more likely to unleash creativity that supports improvement and innovation.
Find out more:
Skills Development Scotland Employer Hub – SDS
Respect:
What does this mean: Diverse and inclusive work culture where people are respected regardless of background, role or status, with trusting relationships, recognising the views and contributions of others.
How will this help: Encouraging applications from people who have lots to offer but might not otherwise apply leads to enhanced innovation, creativity, productivity, reputation, and engagement, as well as improved business results.
Find out more:
CIPD is launching new and timely guidance to help employers recruit inclusively | CIPD
Opportunity:
What does this mean: Equal access to work and opportunities, investing in training and development, regular development reviews and accessible training.
How will this help: Encourages creativity and innovation, associated with better health and wellbeing. Improves performance and growth for individuals and organisations as well as improving retention.
Find out more:
Skills Development Scotland Employer Hub – SDS
Inclusion Scotland – Inclusion Scotland