Published: 14 Jun 2023

Culture Radar have published a practical guide to Fair Work for employers in the creative and cultural sectors in Scotland – with case studies and illustrations to help digest the information.

Commissioned by Creative Scotland and designed around the Scottish Government’s Fair Work policy, the guide will help employers understand how to build and grow workplaces that prioritise good, fair, and decent working practices for everyone – including freelance creatives.

Written by Jeanie Scott of Culture Radar, a research and consultancy practice supporting strategic change in culture and heritage, with two well respected freelance creatives and writers Morvern Cunningham and Chris Sharratt, the guide has been designed and illustrated by Maria Stoian and edited by Heather Parry – who both worked on the The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide.

The guide covers the basics of Fair Work and introduces each of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work Dimensions – Effective Voice, Opportunity, Fulfilment, Respect and Security – with practical and inspiring examples of how people might put them into practice in the workplace.

Jeanie Scott of Culture Radar commented: “The creative and cultural sector is a complex and varied beast, with no two workplaces the same and a heavy reliance on freelance workers at all levels. For this reason, this short Guide could never be a step-by-step tool, or a rule book for applying Fair Work across the board. Instead, we’ve laid out this Guide with key information about Fair Work, alongside inspiring, real-life examples of what Fair Work looks like in practice in our sector now.

“Case studies have been drawn from interviews with employers and practitioners across Scotland, and from organisations of all sizes and different artforms and special interest areas, to help you visualise what Fair Work might look like in the context of your organisation.”

Iain Munro, CEO at Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland is committed, through any activities we support, to ensure that fair pay, conditions, and employment opportunities are in place for artists and professionals working in the creative sector.

“We encourage as many people as possible working across the creative sector to read this helpful guide. Its guidance will help to create the conditions for more meaningful and sustainable opportunities to work across, and progress through, the sector.”

Read The Illustrated Fair Work Employer Guide

Background

The Scottish Government’s Fair Work Action Plan (2021) aims to see progressive workplace policies which improve productivity and innovation, promote greater workplace democracy, delivery opportunities and best practice and see adoption of the Real Living Wage and fair remuneration through its implementation. The Scottish Government’s vision is for Scotland to be a leading Fair Work Nation by 2025 with its people having a world-leading working life where Fair Work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society.

Culture Radar’s Review of Fair Work relates to implementation solutions proposed in the Review of Fair Work in the creative and cultural sectors in Scotland (2022), commissioned by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, as an action from A Culture Strategy for Scotland.

Read more about Fair Work and explore our resources.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot

Culture Radar is a research and consultancy practice supporting strategic change in culture and heritage. It works with organisations, leaders, funders and policymakers to build resilient and impactful cultural businesses, communities and projects across the UK. Culture Radar recently delivered the Review of Fair Work (2020) commissioned by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government as an action from the Cultural Strategy for Scotland.

Media Contacts

Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations and PR Officer, Creative Scotland

E:  Sophie.Bambrough@creativescotland.com

M: 07747 606 146