Fair Work Across Scotland
This section highlights where you can find out about fair work across Scotland with links to: Scottish Government policy, support in the workplace, strategies relating to fair work and the Fair Work Convention’s wider impact which points to organisations and partners who champion fair work in Scotland.
Driving Forward Fair Work Across Government
National Performance Framework
The National Performance Framework explains the Scottish Government’s Core Purpose, Values and National Outcomes. One of the National Outcomes is that the people of Scotland have ‘thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone.’
National Outcome - Fair Work and Business
This document sets out the strategic approach the Scottish Government is taking to help achieve the 2025 vision for Fair Work.
Fair Work First: Guidance to Support Implementation
This guidance outlines the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First approach and exemplifies the Fair Work First criteria in practice. It should be used by those involved in awarding public sector grants, sponsorship and other funding, and contracts, and those seeking to access/accessing such funding and/or contracts.
A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Employment Action Plan
This action plan outlines the activities the Scottish Government will take to meet its ambition to at least halve the disability employment gap in Scotland by 2038. The strategic framework for achieving this commitment is built on three areas:
- Supporting Employers to recruit and retain disabled people
- Supporting Disabled People to enter Employment
- Young People and Transitions
A Fairer Scotland for Women: Gender Pay Gap Action Plan
The Scottish Government’s action plan sets out a list of actions that will be taken to address the many drivers of the gender pay gap.
A Fairer Scotland for All: Race Equality Action Plan and Highlight Report 2017-2021
The Race Equality Action Plan sets out the key actions for the Scottish Government to drive positive change for minority ethnic communities.
Support in workplaces
Fair Work Support Tools
Employers are encouraged to use the Fair Work Employer Support Tool created by Scottish Enterprise to understand their fair work practices and access support to enable them to strengthen their approach.
Employers also should encourage their employees to use the Fair Work Convention’s Employee Self-Assessment Tool to assess their own experience of fair work and be willing to engage with workers and unions in responding to the findings of these assessment tools.
Fair Work First Relationship with the Scottish Business Pledge
The Scottish Business Pledge, like Fair Work First, aims to promote fairness, equality and opportunity in Scotland, helping to create greater economic success and sustainable, inclusive growth.
The opportunity of a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training programme or volunteering for every 16-24 year old in Scotland – based on your own goals and ambitions. For employers, get the support you need to build your future workforce including the creation of a fair working environment that supports young people.
Young Persons Guarantee - No-one Left Behind report
Guest Blog: ‘Protecting Young People’s Life Chances’ – Sandy Begbie CBE
Scotland's devolved employment support service Fair Start Scotland provides 12-18 months of tailored, flexible, and person-centred pre-employment support to people who want help to find and stay in fair and sustainable work. The service also works with employers to help with recruitment and support for the employer and their new employee by offering up to 12 months in-work support.
Other Strategies
Scotland’s Economic Strategy sets out a framework for a competitive and fairer Scotland.
Scotland's Labour Market Strategy
Scotland’s Labour Market Strategy provides a framework for the Scottish Government’s approach to the labour market.
For the Scottish Government a just transition is both the outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the process that must be undertaken in partnership with those impacted by the transition to net zero. It supports a net zero and climate resilient economy in a way that delivers fairness and tackles inequality and injustice
If Not Now, When? - Social Renewal Advisory Board Report: January 2021
The Social Renewal Advisory Board was set up by Scottish Ministers to make proposals that can renew Scotland once we start to emerge from the pandemic. The final report “If not now, when?”, sets a course towards this future.
Scottish National Investment Bank
The Scottish National Investment Bank (the Bank) is a development investment bank, established and funded by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland. The Bank has been established to operate commercially, and is operationally independent from government.
In the Scottish National Investment Bank’s ‘Ethical Investment Policy’ it states:
‘The Bank supports the adoption of fair work practices and will encourage the adoption of fair work criteria in the businesses and projects it invests in’
A Culture Strategy for Scotland
A Culture Strategy for Scotland aims to develop the conditions and skills for culture to thrive, so it is cared for, protected and produced for the enjoyment and enrichment of all present and future generations. To do this the Scottish Government will consider ways to support the cultural workforce including through a new Arts Alive programme and advocating for fair work practices and a living wage for the cultural and creative workforce.
Covid Recovery Strategy: For a Fairer Future
The Covid Recovery Strategy sets out the Scottish Government's vision for recovery and the actions they will take to address systemic inequalities made worse by Covid, make progress towards a wellbeing economy, and accelerate inclusive person-centred public services.
Within the strategy there is a section on 'Good, green jobs and fair work'
Our Wider Impact
The Fair Work Convention have established strategic partnerships with CIPD Scotland, SCVO Scotland and The Global Deal but we also work closely with a range of others.
The Fair Work Convention and CIPD Scotland have joined together to form a strategic partnership, working to ensure fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society across Scotland.
We have also contributed the opening forward to CIPD Scotland’s ‘Working Lives Scotland’ report which explores job quality in Scotland and how it has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guest Blog - Lee Ann Panglea Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland, CIPD
Fair Work – Resource Area | CIPD
Scotland’s Fair Work Convention and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have joined together to form a strategic partnership, working to ensure fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals and organisations within the voluntary sector across Scotland.
Blog - Anna Fowlie is the Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and member of the Fair Work Convention
The Fair Work Convention has become a partner with The Global Deal The Global Deal was launched by the Government of Sweden, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The Global Deal works to strengthen social dialogue, which means unions, employers and governments coming together to create better outcomes for society and the economy.
South of Scotland Enterprise Agency
South of Scotland Enterprise Agency are one of the first to have ‘fair work’ running through all of their activities.
Guest Blog - South of Scotland Enterprise Fair Work Internship
Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are early adopters of Fair Work First helping ensure the jobs they support through their large grant funding are good jobs, paying at least the real living wage.