Organisation is actively working with Scottish hospitality firms
LIVING Wage Scotland, the public-funded organisation tasked with promoting the voluntary ‘real living wage’, has embarked on a campaign to increase uptake in the hospitality industry.
Unlike the UK government’s National Living Wage of £7.83, which is mandatory for all employees over the age of 25, the Real Living Wage is voluntary. It is set by charity the Living Wage Foundation based on what it has calculated to be the minimum a person needs to earn in order to meet basic living costs.
The Real Living Wage is currently set at £9 an hour for everyone aged 18 and above.
Several Scottish hospitality businesses have secured Living Wage accreditation in recent years, including Brewdog, Edinburgh-based independent multiple operator Kilderkin Group, Edinburgh bars Panda & Sons and Nauticus, and Arran hotels Auchrannie and Glenisle.
Earlier this month they were joined by St Columba Hotel on Iona and the Royal Scots Club hotel in Edinburgh.
And Christine McCaig, accreditation officer at Living Wage Scotland, said the organisation has already been approached by several more businesses in Edinburgh and the Highlands with a view to becoming accredited.
“I have been encouraged by the positive reaction of those I have spoken to in the industry so far,” said McCaig.
“Employers want to try new ways to improve their business, they want to attract the best staff and they genuinely want the best for their staff.”
Living Wage Scotland is currently working with some of its accredited hospitality businesses to produce case studies highlighting the business benefits of accreditation, with a view to using these to recruit more businesses.
Information on the Real Living Wage can be found at livingwagescotland.org.
