In March, the Scottish Affairs Select Committee published The future of working practices in Scotland. This report reflects on the Taylor review on modern working practices, which covered the gig economy and precarious work, and looks at changes in the traditional workplace, and the particular impact of these developments on Scotland.
The report contains recommendations for the UK Government:
- Extend a written statement of terms and conditions to all workers.
- Clarify employment status in primary legislation.
- Give workers who have been on zero hours contracts for 12 months the right to request a contract which reflects actual hours worked.
- Consider a higher minimum wage for hours which are not guaranteed.
- Assess the extent of unfair and illegal employment practices in Scotland.
- Stronger penalties, including fines, for repeat or serious breaches of employment legislation, and expand “naming and shaming” to all non-accidental breaches of employment rights.
- Work with unions to establish the extent of blacklisting and stop it.
The report was informed by evidence given by Robin McAlpine, Director of the Common Weal, and Professor Mike Danson of the Jimmy Reid Foundation.