Becoming a Fair Work Nation: consultation - easy read

What we have done

Scotland has made progress and has a lot to be proud of.

Progress has been made on key issues like the disability employment gap, youth unemployment, gender and ethnicity pay gaps, secure employment and working together.

Fair Work First

We do not have power on employment law. However we are pushing Fair Work rules. We will invest in public services to make this happen. Public services can apply for grants and other contracts to agree to Fair Work by:

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  develop the workers having a voice. This can be through a union. This is a group of workers that together protect and further their rights.

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  no zero hours contracts
• action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace

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  pay the real Living Wage
• offer flexible and family friendly working from day one of employment

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  not fire and rehire people.

Real Living Wage

The Scottish Government is committed to the real Living Wage. It provides pay based on the income needed for a good living standard. Fair Pay is important to Fair Work.

The number and how often hours are worked is very important. Employers must pay the real Living Wage and give a contract of hours worked. This should guarantee at least 16 hours a week (unless the worker wants less). People should be told 4 weeks in advance if shifts are cancelled.

Disability Employment Gap

The disability employment gap had been reducing. This was because more disabled people were getting jobs.

The gap became larger in 2020. This may be because of the pandemic. But we are still on target to halve the disability employment gap.

The Scottish Government and partners have three key priorities:

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  support disabled people to get jobs
• support employers to employ and keep disabled people in jobs

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  young people and transitions and better support employers.

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap became smaller in 2020.

We will continue to work in partnership to support women working in Scottish agriculture. This includes working in farms.

Race employment

There is inequality in employment.

We support making sure minority ethnic people can access, stay in or progress in employment. We are commitment to tackle racial inequality in the workplace.