Fair Work First

The Improvement Service is committed to implementing a ‘Fair Work First' approach.

We have appropriate channels for effective employee voice

  • We recognise a Trade Union and encourage membership.
  • We make reasonable facilities available to Trade Union representatives to enable them to carry out their duties efficiently and communicate effectively with their members.
  • We carry about an annual staff survey and communicate the results and proposed actions.
  • We hold all-staff development days twice a year to communicate and discuss the business.
  • We have an online staff suggestion box available to all employees.

We invest in workforce development

  • All staff have a learning and development plan and we provide formal and informal learning opportunities. We provide an internal website providing training guidance and materials.
  • We run a ‘lunch and learn’ programme to gain knowledge on issues affecting local government and to share the knowledge gained from our diverse programme work.
  • We offer access to online courses through Open University and West Lothian Council’s MyLearning portal.

We do not use zero hours contracts inappropriately

  • We have no zero hours contracts in place.

We take action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace

  • We have an Equalities Statement and Fair Treatment at Work policy, which is reviewed regularly. We publish a Fair Treatment at Work Code of Practice.
  • We have an Equalities Committee which draws members from across the organisation.
  • We are an accredited Disability Confident Employer.
  • We took the Pregnancy Loss Pledge, enhancing the support available to staff experiencing pregnancy loss.

We pay the Real Living Wage

  • We are an accredited Living Wage Employer

We offer flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of employment

  • We support flexible working across the organisation and offer a range of working patterns, including hybrid and remote working.
  • We have a range of policies and procedures that support family friendly working practices, including:
    • Flexible working policy
    • Maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave
    • Bereavement leave
    • Time off for dependents
    • Carers leave
    • Compassionate and other special leave
    • Time off for voluntary and other public duties

We oppose the use of fire and rehire practice

  • We consider effecting change only where there is a legitimate business need.
  • We are committed to working with our employees and Trade Union partners to ensure there is effective consultation and negotiation relating to change.
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