HIE Steps Up Commitment To Fair Work Nation

16th March 2022

Scotland's development agency for the Highlands and Islands is stepping up its commitment to making the country a Fair Work Nation.

As part of its support for the Scottish Government Fair Work First agenda, the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is introducing new conditions attached to future funding awards.

From 1 April, all organisations across the region who are applying for HIE funding will be expected to comply with the Fair Work First criteria.

These include paying all their employees at least the real living wage, which from 1 May will be £9.90 per hour for people over 18.

They should only utilise zero hours contracts when deemed appropriate and take action proportionate to the size of their organisation to address any gender pay gaps.

Fair Work First requires organisations to have in place appropriate channels for effective voice (see notes), invest in their workforce and offer flexible family friendly conditions. They should also oppose the use of fire and rehire practices.

Most organisations currently working with HIE have already adopted fair work principles. Stuart Black, the agency's chief executive, said the Board now wants to build on this.

He said:"Talented people are at the very heart of success in every organisation in any sector.

"An inclusive, people-centred approach that supports workers and employers to shape their organisations together, and to develop the skills needed for a successful future, is key to a prosperous economy.

"A fair work approach helps employees to play a full and active role. This underpins high productivity, performance and innovation. It also contributes to a healthier, wealthier and more inclusive society.

“All of this is in keeping with our vision for the Highlands and Islands as a modern, high value and inclusive economy, and an attractive place to live and work.

“It's great that fair work practice is already in place across most of the region and we look forward to supporting others to implement these important steps."

Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Richard Lochhead said:“A key ambition in Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation is to reorient our economy towards wellbeing and fair work, to deliver higher rates of employment and wage growth and tackle poverty.

“Through Fair Work First we are applying Fair Work criteria to public sector contracts and grants to ensure that government funding serves to tackle in-work poverty and low wages by raising the incomes of the lowest paid and driving high workplace standards for all workers.

“I welcome HIE’s commitment to strengthening its Fair Work First approach - helping to make Scotland a leading Fair Work Nation."

HIE has created a web page with information to help organisations to implement fair work principles, including access to a fair work tool.

There will be some exemptions to HIE’s new conditions, for example clients benefitting from non-financial support, such as webinars, networking events, self-service products and general advice from HIE.

Notes
Set up in 2016, the Fair Work Convention in Scotland set out a Framework explaining the dimensions of fair work and how they can be achieved.

Effective voice: effective channels of communication in workplaces along with a safe environment that enable workers to contribute to discussions, be listened to and make a difference, promoting an environment of employee engagement.
Opportunity: ensuring that everyone who wants to can access work and, in work, can develop and progress.
Security:including stability and predictability of employment, working time and
Fulfilment:developing and utilising skills, career advancement and employee engagement.
Respect:ensuring workers are respected in terms of, for example, health, wellbeing and safety regardless of their role or status.
Effective voice is much more than having a communication channel available within an organisation. It requires a safe environment where dialogue and challenge are central to the organisational culture, are dealt with constructively, and where worker views are sought out, listened to and acted upon, and can make a difference. Effective voice requires workers, employers and trade unions or worker representative groups to work in partnership to make sure the right decisions are made to ensure workers are treated fairly and equitably. The co-determination of working practices is key to delivering all of the dimensions of Fair Work effectively. For more on this see https://www.gov.scot/publications/fair-work-first-guidance/pages/9/

PHOTO
Stuart Black
Photographer - John Paul/HIE