1 Introduction
1.1 Background
The Fair Work Convention (FWC) was established in 2015 following a recommendation of the Working Together Review. The Convention’s remit is to drive forward fair work in Scotland. Its aspirational agenda is about fair work becoming a hallmark of Scotland’s workplaces and economy.
The FWC is an independent body which brings together employers, trade unions and academic expertise. The Convention’s role is to:
- Provide impartial advice and recommendations on fair work to Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Government and policy makers to support the fair work agenda; and
- Advocate and promote fair work.
The FWC developed a Fair Work Framework. It comprises five dimensions of fair work: effective voice, security, respect, fulfilment and opportunity.
1.1.1 Hospitality Inquiry
From June 2022, the Fair Work Convention’s (FWC) Inquiry into the hospitality industry has sought to assess the extent to which work in the sector can be described as ‘fair work’ and to make recommendations for advancing fair work in the sector. It is set to report in 2024.
The Inquiry is considering the following sectors and sub-sectors:
On-premises hospitality including:
- Hotels
- Restaurants (including fast food and chains)
- Cafés
- Bars
- Nightclubs
Off-premises food and drink including:
- Takeaway food
- Mobile food services
Secondary food and drink
- Food and drink operations within other businesses (e.g. supermarkets, casinos, bowling alleys, visitor attractions)
- Event catering, including sports and music.
Having heard evidence on the fair work issues in the hospitality sector, the Inquiry Group will develop recommendations for advancing fair work in the industry. This requires a good base of knowledge about challenges and opportunities facing workers and employers.
1.2 Research aim and objectives
Given this background, the FWC commissioned research to support the Inquiry with the aim of providing data on the fair work issues facing businesses and those working in the sector in Scotland.
To meet this aim, the JRS Research Consortium were commissioned in December 2022 with the following research objectives:
- To design a set of survey questions which fill the gaps in current knowledge and/or which validate key findings in previous research and analysis.
- To undertake two surveys – one of relevant businesses (as defined above) and one of workers in the sector.
- To analyse the fair work experience of workers, under each of the fair work dimensions, and explore employers/businesses understanding of fair work, their sense of their own performance on fair work and the barriers they perceive to improving their fair work practice.