We have 2 places left for 16 & 17 year olds for our Childcare Academy. If you or anyone you know is in this age group and interested, could you get in touch ASAP.
February 2015 CA Publicity Poster 16
Childcare Academy Standard Information
Audrey O’Neill
Training Administrator, North Edinburgh Childcare
0131 311 6931
www.northedinburghchildcare.co.uk
We have a part time temporary vacancy for a sessional worker to help us develop our Community Leadership College. I’d be grateful if you could circulate this information to any local staff or volunteers whom you think might be interested.
Christine Mackay
Manager – Total Craigroyston
Thousands unfairly treated at work
Thousands of Scots face unfair working practices which leave them in desperate and miserable situations, according to new evidence from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS).
Last year the Scottish CAB service saw 46,540 instances of unfair treatment at work – an increase of 5.5% on the previous year – and already this year the figures look set to be even higher.
Examples include unfair dismissal, non-payment of wages, cancellation of holidays, bullying, racism and denial of sick pay.
Many workers have told CAS they would like to take their case to tribunals but can’t afford to do so.
CAS new report ‘Fair Enough?’ sets out these problems in detail and suggests solutions to make Scotland’s workplaces fairer. It is being sent to Ministers, MPs and MSPs.
Publishing the report, CAS spokesman Rob Gowans said: “In Scotland we like to see ourselves as a generally fair, socially just country. Sadly, the evidence seen by CAB advisers every day tells a different story. We know that many Scots who are unemployed face severe hardship. But many who do have jobs are living on low incomes and also facing extremely unfair conditions at work.
“The evidence we present today is a snapshot of the kind of employment cases we see. Of course it’s important to say that most employers are fair and treat their staff well. But sadly it’s clear that there are many rogue employers in Scotland, and also that the system is in many ways stacked against workers who want to challenge unfairness at work.
“Some of the unfair employment practices we see put workers in difficult, complex and miserable situations. In exposing these today we want to raise awareness of these problems, but also to argue the case for change. All of the problems we identify in this report can be fixed, and we suggest ways of doing that.
“Because Scotland’s workers deserve better. And it is also in the interests of government and society as a whole that fair employment is promoted. Workers in low quality, stressful jobs have poorer general health, and poor daily quality of life than other groups – even those who are unemployed. It is also important to ensure that unscrupulous employers who wilfully undermine their employees’ basic rights do not gain an unfair advantage over fair employers.”
The sort of cases outlined in the report include:
The full report:
Fair Enough Protecting Scotland’s workers from unfair treatment Feb 2015
We are now recruiting for the new Childcare Academy, which starts on Monday 23 February.
Please see the attached poster and standard information.
February 2015 CA Publicity Poster 18
Childcare Academy Standard Information
Audrey O’Neill, Training Administrator
North Edinburgh Childcare
18b Ferry Road Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 4BL
Tel: 0131 311 6931 Fax: 0131 315 4420
New GDP figures show fastest annual growth since 2007
Both Westminster and Holyrood politicians have welcomed the latest employments statistics published today. Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says the figures show that the UK’s long term economic plan is working, while Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham says Scotland continues to outperform the UK.
The number of people in employment in Scotland has increased by 50,000 over the year, reaching a record high of 2,612,000 as new GDP figures show the fastest annual growth since 2007.
ONS Labour Market Statistics released today covering the period September to November 2014 show female employment has also reached a record high and Scotland’s youth unemployment level is at its lowest in five years.
Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham has welcomed today’s Labour Market Statistics which show:
In addition, National Statistics published today by the Scottish Government covering 2014 quarter 3 show that the Scottish economy continues to improve, growing by 3.0 per cent from the same quarter in the previous year. This is the fastest annual growth since 2007 with headline UK annual growth for the same period at 2.6 per cent. Growth over the quarter in Scotland was 0.6 per cent, the ninth consecutive quarter of expansion.
The construction sector again showed its strength, growing by 3.2 per cent over the quarter and 6.6 per cent over the year. The services sector, which accounts for around 72 per cent of the Scottish economy, grew by 0.6 per cent over the quarter with some manufacturing sectors also showing growth.
Ms Cunningham (above) said: “Scotland is again outperforming the UK on employment, unemployment and inactivity rates and a 3 per cent expansion in our economy over the year is a clear demonstration of our growing strength, not least in the construction sector.
“Our work on jobs and growth is continuing to pay off with record employment levels increasing this month and female employment also reaching a record high, welcome evidence of our on-going work on narrowing the gender gap.
“I am particularly pleased to note positive news on youth employment and I am determined that we will maintain our focus on increasing the employment opportunities for our young people. We will continue to work with local government and employers to deliver the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce so that we deliver our ambitious programme to develop a world class vocational education system.
“This government is determined to close the attainment gap in our schools and enable the widest possible access to Higher Education so that everyone gets an equal chance at gaining qualifications, and therefore a job, regardless of their background.
“As the economy grows, we must ensure that everyone is able to benefit from our success. We will continue to use all of the powers we have at our disposal to grow the economy, increase employment, lower unemployment and remove barriers to the labour market.
“The Scottish Parliament will shortly have the first reading of the budget bill for 2015/16 which includes £4.5 billion of investment in infrastructure and additional funding for youth employment to secure sustained growth for Scotland.”
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael (above) also welcomed the latest figures. He said: “Today’s employment figures show a record number of Scots in work, more women in employment than ever before and jobseekers allowance claimants at its lowest level since 2008.
“The UK Government has stuck to its long term economic plan, creating the right conditions to rebuild and rebalance our economy. Together with the safety and security which comes from being part of the UK this has helped our businesses grow and create more sustainable jobs. As a result, over the past four and half years employment has risen by 167,000 and unemployment has fallen by 61,000.
“It’s also welcome news to see Scotland’s economy continuing to grow, building on two successive years of economic growth. The rise in unemployment over the past quarter highlight the challenges which remain. Recent business surveys however show Scotland’s economic growth is set to continue into 2015 and our labour market is expected to build further on the record numbers we have seen. We will take responsibility to help those who fall out of work ensuring they can make the most of the opportunities being created in communities across the country.”
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from September to November 2014 was 2,612,000. Employment was up by 1,000 compared to the previous three months, and was up by 50,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate increased on the previous quarter, and it was up by 1.5 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 74.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.
Unemployment in Scotland was up 7,000 over the quarter September to November 2014, to 158,000. The level was down 20,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter at 5.7 per cent, which is down 0.8 p.p. over the year.
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), fell by 2,100 from November to 85,000 in December 2014. The level is down by 28,200 on December 2013. The claimant count rate fell by 0.1 p.p. over the month at 3.1 per cent, and is down 1.0 p.p. over the year.
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the September to November 2014 quarter was 2,770,000. This was up 8,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 29,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 78.7 per cent, up 0.3 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 0.9 p.p. over the year.
100 employers in Scotland now with Living Wage Accreditation
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday visited Scotland’s 100th Living Wage accredited company, McKean Developments Ltd, to welcome the rapid growth in Scottish organisations securing Living Wage Accreditation.
The Poverty Alliance, which runs the Living Wage Accreditation scheme in Scotland has indicated that more than 100,000 employees of accredited companies are now benefitting from the Living Wage.
Speaking during her visit to McKean Developments the First Minister welcomed the progress being made and urged other companies to sign up, She said: “It is great news that 100 companies are now accredited as Living Wage employers. The Scottish Government fully supports the Living Wage campaign and we recognise the real difference the Living Wage makes to the working people in Scotland.
“The Scottish Government is not able to set pay levels in the private sector, or indeed the wider public sector in Scotland where employees are not covered by our pay policy, however we DO encourage all public, private and third sector organisations to ensure all staff on lower incomes receive a fair level of pay, and we are funding the Poverty Alliance to take forward the accreditation scheme.
“The list of 100 accredited companies clearly demonstrates it is not just big businesses who are providing a fairer deal for their staff but small companies like McKean Developments Ltd which is guaranteeing the living wage for their staff. I would encourage all employers across Scotland to take the lead from the these 100 organisations and give their workers a Living Wage.”
Colin McLean sales and technical manager at McKean Developments Ltd, said: “As a Living Wage Employer it is our belief that our workforce deserve to be paid an honest and decent wage in return for their services. It’s that simple. This, in turn, has helped increased both production capability and morale within our business, leading to increased customer satisfaction and a top quality finished product, not to mention a better quality of life for all of our employees.”
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Congratulations to McKean’s on becoming Scotland’s 100th Accredited Living Wage Employer. This is an important milestone for the Living Wage in Scotland. We are delighted that more and more employers are joining the movement for fair pay.
“These employers recognise that paying the Living Wage has benefits for their organisations as well as their employees. We look forward to working with McKeans, and all Scotland’s accredited employers, to ensure that we all benefit from the Living Wage.”
Edinburgh College is holding course information days this month for potential students to find out more about courses starting in August and get on track for successful futures.
Anyone interested in finding out more about studying at the college to get on the career ladder, continue with studies or learn new skills is invited to come and talk to staff from across the curriculum.
The information days are on Tuesday 27 January from 2pm -6.30pm at Sighthill Campus and on Wednesday 29 January from 2 – 6.30pm at Milton Road Campus.
Each event will have information about all curriculum areas.
GMB trade union calls for guilty directors to be barred
A further 37 employers who failed to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage – including one in Edinburgh – have been named today by Business Minister Jo Swinson.
Between them they owe workers a total of over £177,000 in arrears and have been charged financial penalties totalling over £51,000.
The government has already named 55 employers since the new naming regime came into force in October 2013. They had total arrears of over £139,000 and total penalties of over £60,000. One of the previous offenders was private school Cargilfield in Cramond, who were fined last June for underpaying a member of staff by over £3700.
HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) National Minimum Wage enforcement budget will be increased by a further £3 million in financial year 2015 to 2016 – taking the total to £12.2 million. The extra money will go towards increasing the number of HMRC compliance officers to identify businesses that exploit their workers by paying them below the National Minimum Wage.
Business Minister Jo Swinson said: “Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal, immoral and completely unacceptable. If employers break this law they need to know that we will take tough action by naming, shaming and fining them as well as helping workers recover the hundreds of thousands of pounds in pay owed to them.
“We are also looking at what more we can do to make sure workers are paid fairly in the first place. As well as being publicly named and shamed, employers that fail to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage face penalties of up to £20,000. We are legislating through the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill so that this penalty can be applied to each underpaid worker rather than per employer.”
Employers who are unsure of National Minimum Wage rules can also get free advice via the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368.
The 37 employers are:
The 37 cases named today were thoroughly investigated by HM Revenue and Customs after workers made complaints to the free and confidential Pay and Work Rights Helpline.
The scheme was revised in October 2013 to make it simpler to name and shame employers that do not comply with minimum wage rules, but the GMB trade union says the enforcement rules should also be changed so that trade unions can make complaints to HMRC on behalf of members.
Commenting on the latest announcement Martin Smith, GMB National Organizer, said: “Far too few wage-dodging employers not paying the national minimum wage have been bought to justice. Government needs to make a real commitment to making work pay by more aggressively seeking out offenders to prosecute them. The enforcement rules should also be changed so that trade unions can make complaints to HMRC on behalf of members.
“As part of the public disgracing for the firms named GMB is calling for the directors of these companies to be placed on a “wage offenders register” at Companies House and be deemed an unfit person to hold any further directorships.
“There needs to be a recognition that a national minimum wage of £6.50 is near impossible to live on as it is without relying on state benefits. There are bucket loads of evidence that an uplift of at least 50p per hour would help the low paid and start to stimulate the economy and that all the big firms including the retailers can afford it.
“There is no justification for the national minimum wage not keeping up with inflation. The Low Pay Commission should recommend a rate of at least £7 per hour from October 2014 to make up the ground lost since 2006.
“It is time for the Low Pay Commission to do what it says on the tin – fight for the low paid.”
We still have a few places available on our Mini Childcare Taster Course being held on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd January.
We also have a limited number of free places available for young people still at school who are ineligible for ILA.
I have attached a poster and a booking form (see below) if you would like to book a place:
Mini Childcare Taster – Child Development
SHORT COURSE BOOKING FORM – New
Audrey O’Neill
Training Administrator, North Edinburgh Childcare
18b Ferry Road Avenue
Edinburgh EH4 4BL
Telephone 0131 311 6931
www.northedinburghchildcare.co.uk
Campaigners are calling for employers in Scotland to commit to paying the living wage in 2015.
More than 30 Scottish employers signed up to become become accredited Living Wage Employers last month, meaning that all their staff will now be at least £7.85 an hour.
There are now 94 Living Wage Employers in Scotland. Of the 32 new organisations that have joined the accreditation scheme 70% had less than 50 employees and 38% had less than 10 employees. The majority of the newly accredited organisations are private sector companies.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, who host the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative said: “We have seen a significant increase in enquiries from employers about Living Wage accreditation since Living Wage Week at the start of November, when we reported that the number of Living Wage Employers in Scotland had tripled to 60. Since then, an additional 32 Scottish employers have gone on to become accredited, including Digby Brown law firm, Heart of Midlothian football club and An Clachan Café in Glasgow.
“This is great news, especially for those workers that get a pay rise as a result. It is clear that in-work poverty will remain a real problem for thousands of workers in Scotland in 2015, but if more employers commit to paying the living wage we can begin to make a real impact.
“We are here to help and advise employers who wish to be recognized for paying the living wage. We have been overwhelmed by the response from Scottish employers in the last few weeks and look forward to working with many more in 2015. The living wage is a key way of ensuring that more workers have a prosperous New Year.”
Graham Bell, Managing Director of Glasgow-based retailer Guitar, Guitar who also have shops in Edinburgh and Newcastle said: “Our staff are our greatest asset, and the backbone of our company. By moving onto a living wage, we are solidifying our commitment to the well-being of our employees, their families and the future of our local community. It is a move we’re very proud of.”
Newly accredited Strata Cleaning are the first cleaning firm in Scotland to become Living Wage Employers. The company’s Director, Steven Homer, said: “We made a strategic decision at the formation of the business that it would stand out from the majority of cleaning companies by committing to our staff to adopt the Living Wage threshold for all staff employed by us.
“Within the cleaning sector it is common practice for many staff to be paid at the National Minimum Wage. Our business strategy is to provide a specialist cleaning service where our product knowledge, operating skills and a high level of customer service are paramount. We believe that a part of creating this culture within our business from the very outset is to recognise that it is our staff who are the main customer facing element of our business.
“Our many years of experience teaches us that staff who feel they are correctly rewarded will be much more positive and go that extra step in meeting our customer needs. We believe that long term this will be a major business benefit rather than a cost to us.”
Graeme Thomson, a member of staff at Timber Company Group in Dumfries, is directly affected by his employers’ decision to implement the living wage. He said: “I have recently started working with DTCG and already I feel like a valued member of staff. I was recently informed that DTCG have become a living wage employer, consequently this directly affected myself, making a positive contribution to my salary.
“As expected this has been hugely beneficial. At present I am currently saving for a deposit to take my first step on the property ladder. The increase in my wage makes living month to month that little bit easier whilst saving a large portion of my monthly wage. Working for this increased and fairer wage will make a huge difference to me and many others who will now feel more valued at work and encourage working harder.
“Since joining the company I have been encouraged through continuous development to both learn through further education and hands on work experience to better myself and add to my skill set. Moving to a living wage employer is another reason why I feel privileged to have found employment with the Dumfries Timber Company Group”
Colin Cameron , Operations Director, Dumfries Timber Company said: “We firmly believe that signing up to the Living Wage will only benefit the company. By treating your staff with respect, of which paying the Living Wage is only a part, you get a more contented and motivated staff.
“Respect is always a two way thing, and is extremely beneficial to both sides. Low wages was one of the factors that led to the formation of Dumfries Timber Company. Previously, we worked for one of the large national companies and we were constantly frustrated with the wage structure they had in place. When we started Dumfries Timber Company 7 years ago, the members of staff who joined us were immediately paid more than they were before.
“By signing up to the Living Wage, there are added benefits to our Company such as low staff turnover. We believe that, if you treat your staff with respect in other areas as well as salary, there will be an increased awareness of our company.
Signing up to the Living Wage scheme, will also bring benefits when we are looking to recruit new staff.”
The 32 Living Wage Employers who have become accredited in the past month are:
• Aberdeen YMCA
• The Social Enterprise Academy
• Ypeople
• Harper Macleod LLP
• Cutting Edge Engineering Ltd
• Scotwest Credit Union Ltd
• Conveyancing Direct
• Scottish Out of School Care Network
• Gavin Watson Ltd
• Lift Control Ltd
• Digby Brown LLP
• Dumfries Timber Company Ltd
• Energy Action Scotland
• Heart of Midlothian PLC
• ITC Training Academy
• Strata Cleaning Limited
• Animac Vets Ltd
• Muehlhan Surface Protection Limited
• Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway
• Saltire Roofing and Building Ltd
• Scottish Parliament
• An Clachan Cafe
• Scottish Youth Parliament
• Crannoch Residential Child Care Resource Ltd.
• Village Vets
• GuitarGuitar
• Neil Findlay MSP
• The Spark
• Nutrend Office Furniture
• Trade Right International CIC
• teclan ltd Digital Marketing
• The Royal Bank of Scotland
