Scottish Government: Making fair work the norm

Friday, 25 April 2025 10:29

A new digital hub has been launched to support Scottish businesses to provide secure, fulfilling jobs, create equal opportunities and give staff a voice in the workplace. It will serve as a one-stop resource for employers, setting out the advantages of adopting fair work practices and suggesting practical actions they can take. Scotland already leads the way in the proportion of businesses paying the real Living Wage and the new online resource forms part of wider Scottish...Request free trial

A new digital hub has been launched to support Scottish businesses to provide secure, fulfilling jobs, create equal opportunities and give staff a voice in the workplace.

It will serve as a one-stop resource for employers, setting out the advantages of adopting fair work practices and suggesting practical actions they can take.

Scotland already leads the way in the proportion of businesses paying the real Living Wage and the new online resource forms part of wider Scottish Government initiatives to make fair work the norm.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who presented the Scottish Government-sponsored Fair Work Employer of the Year award to South Lanarkshire-based railway contractor QTS Group at the British Business Awards in Edinburgh last night, said:

“Scotland has taken a lead within the UK on promoting fair work practices and we want every single one of our workers to enjoy security, respect and opportunity.

“Evidence shows that fair work is also good for business – which in turn sustains good jobs, contributes to strong communities and drives economic growth.

“Developed in partnership, this new online resource not only provides a single source of information, it demonstrates how this approach can work for business with examples provided by Scottish employers. It will be expanded over the coming months and underlines the Scottish Government's commitment to ensuring economic growth goes hand-in-hand with creating a wealthier, fairer and more resilient society.”

Background

The new digital hub is online at: Fair Work - mygov.scot

Scotland remains the best performing of all four UK countries with 88.6% of employees aged 18 and over paid the real Living Wage or more, ahead of 84.2% in Wales, 84.1% in England and 79.4% in Northern Ireland.

Scotland has proportionately around five times as many accredited Living Wage employers as in the rest of the UK. Research shows the real Living Wage enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism and improves staff morale.

At least 68,000 workers in Scotland have had a pay rise resulting from real Living Wage accreditation.

The content of the digital hub was developed in partnership with members of the Fair Work Oversight Group, which includes representatives from COSLA, Prosper and the STUC, as well as Scotland's enterprise agencies.