SOUTH of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) has become the latest accredited Living Hours employer in Scotland – and the first one locally.
It requires employers to pay the real Living Wage to all their employees over the age of 18 and commit to providing at least four weeks’ notice for every shift, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period.
Living Hours employers also provide a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours every week (unless the worker requests otherwise), and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked.
SOSE chair Professor Russel Griggs said: “One of SOSE’s key aims since our inception three years ago is to promote Fair Work amongst our region’s businesses and organisations – which essentially means being a responsible employer. At this uncertain time, it is especially important to be a responsible employer, and by doing so it can provide mutual benefits for individuals, organisations and wider society.
“We are delighted to become an accredited Living Hours employer, and now want to use it to encourage the organisations and businesses in our region to work towards their own Living Hours accreditation, for the good of the South of Scotland.”
Caitlin Brodie is a Modern Apprentice at SOSE, who said: “The opportunity to work at SOSE while being paid the real Living Wage has had a huge impact on me and given me financial stability and independence.
“I have been able to save to buy my first property in the near future. This wouldn’t have been possible without SOSE.”
