Young Scot is first Scottish charity to earn Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension status

Living Wage scheme recognises youth organisation as a responsible employer. 

Young Scot announced Living Hours accreditation as it becomes the first charity in Scotland to demonstrate a commitment to fair work standards by achieving Living Wage, Living Pension and Living Hours employer. 

Since 2016 the engagement platform for young people, has been a Living Wage employer adding Living Pension accreditation in July 2023. The organisation has since taken an active role in promoting the principles of fair wages. 

The Living Hours accreditation 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 of any shift change. Employers also provide a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours every week (unless the worker requests otherwise), and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked.  

The Living Pension, a voluntary savings target for employers who want to help workers, especially those on low pay, shows Young Scot’s dedication to providing employees with a sustainable and secure retirement plan, contributing above the national minimum and ensuring that employees’ pensions will be able to sustain them. 

The announcement sees Young Scot become only the second company in Scotland, and the first charity, to achieve accreditation in all three of the Living Wage schemes – pensions, hours and wages. 

Young Scot Finance and Corporate Services Director Hilary Ramsay said:  

“Young Scot is committed to ensuring that all our staff and contractors are compensated fairly for their work. The Living Wage accreditations, a fundamental aspect of Young Scot's commitment to social responsibility, ensures that all employees receive a wage that is sufficient for a basic standard of living.  

“The wellbeing of our staff remains our priority and receiving accreditation also shows our long-term commitment to their financial wellbeing.” 

Background 

Living Wage Scotland was established in April 2014 by the Poverty Alliance, the national anti-poverty network in Scotland, with the aim of increasing the number of employers in Scotland who are recognised for paying their staff the real Living Wage. 

Research from the Living Wage Foundation in August 2023 concluded that over 9% of workers in Scotland are in insecure work and paid below the Living Wage - approximately 250,000 workers