Becoming a Fair Work nation: consultation

What is Fair Work?

Fair Work is central to our economic strategy: it is good for workers, good for employers and good for Scotland. As employment law is reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is unable to improve statutory rights and protections for workers. However, we are committed to using all the levers that are available, for example, through our public spend, as well as promotion through every relevant policy agenda to drive the fair work practices we want workers in Scotland to experience, promoting actions beyond the minimum statutory employment rights and protections.

Fair Work is one of the outcomes in our National Performance Framework, and key to driving economic recovery and renewal, and our just transition to a net-zero wellbeing economy. It goes beyond compliance with statutory employment rights and protections and seeks to unlock the benefits of high quality work for both employers and workers. The Fair Work Convention’s Framework says that Fair Work offers all individuals an effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect; that balances the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers that can benefit for individuals, organisations and society.

If you would like to find out more about Fair Work in your workplace, you may wish to complete the relevant tool:

• Workers can complete the Self-Assessment Tool, developed by the Fair Work Convention. It is designed to help workers make an assessment of their own experience of Fair Work and suggest actions they can take to improve on it.
• Employers can complete the Fair Work Employer Support Tool, developed by Scottish Enterprise, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, the Fair Work Convention and other partners. It is designed to help employers understand and fully embed the dimensions of Fair Work.