ONE of the first Higher Education institutions in Scotland to take the step to become an Accredited Scottish Living Wage employer was Aberdeen University.
The establishment committed to paying all directly employed staff the equivalent of the accredited living wage in December 2013 and became fully accredited in 2015.
Consistently ranked highly in the UK for the student experience, the university has more than 3000 employees and payment of the Accredited Scottish Living Wage impacts more than 400 members of staff who work in catering, domestic and support roles that are regarded as invaluable in contributing to ensuring the high quality experience and support available to students.
Further steps have been taken to ensure those who work for the University on a casual or zero hours basis at an equivalent level are provided the same level of pay as well as security of employment where possible. The university has recently undertaken a review of its use of such contract types and has moved individuals on to alternative contracts, including guaranteed minimum hours, wherever possible. The Accredited Scottish Living Wage is applied across all contract types where roles are at an equivalent level.
“The University recognises the value of a well-motivated and dedicated workforce both in its own organisation and in those of its suppliers,” said Professor Margaret Ross, vice-principal for people strategy. “As a living wage employer, the University encourages the fair work practices of suppliers in its procurement, including application of the living wage where relevant and proportionate.
“The University is committed to contracting only with suppliers that comply with all appropriate and relevant legislation, including health and safety legislation. Where appropriate, and on a contract by contract basis, the University will assess the legislation applicable to a procurement and take steps to ensure bidders comply with such legislation. Where proportionate, the University may assess such compliance of subcontractors also.”
“The University is proud to be part of the community of Accredited Scottish Living Wage employers. Becoming this was a logical next step in underpinning our commitment to keeping people at the heart of our vision for the University as set out in our Strategic Plan.
“We aim to provide an environment and a culture which enriches the lives of our people, including all our staff members, and enables them to realise their potential.”
The real living wage is currently £8.75 per hour, and is based on the cost of living. It is much higher than the UK government’s “national living wage” rate of £7.50 which only applies to over-25s.
More than 8000 Scottish employers have now signed up for Scottish Living Wage Accreditation and research shows paying the real living wage helps businesses recruit and retain better staff, reduce absenteeism, and encourage higher productivity. It is an employer mark that 93 per cent of businesses say has improved their reputation.
Accreditation is a simple and straightforward process for all Scottish headquartered employers. It is a simple online licence that doesn’t require oversight of the payroll or accounts.
All employers need to do is pay directly employed staff over the age of 18 the real living wage, as well as paying it to subcontracted workers, such as cleaners, who are regularly on site two hours a day over an eight week period.
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