CIPD Scotland has created an insightful report on job quality in Scotland as part of their commitment to championing better work and working lives for all Scottish people. What’s really interesting about this report is that it offers pre-COVID-19 analysis and insights on workforce health and wellbeing as well as skills and careers development.
This report adapts the CIPD Good Work Index to the Scottish Fair Work Framework. If you have worked with Connect Three before you’ll know that we are passionate about helping businesses meet the Scottish Government’s Fair Work Framework. We are proud to have been awarded the Glasgow Business Award for Fair Work last year, and in the last 12 months we have worked to help others create the same engaged, innovative workplace that we have been recognised for building with our own team.
So what are the key findings from the report?
One finding that we feel has extra relevance in our society right now is the positive correlation between flexible work and job satisfaction. Now that more businesses have been pushed into creating flexible working environments for their staff, how will they move forward when we all return to office environments?
Connect Three’s Founder, Colin Lamb, says: “We have long been champions of flexible working and are happy to see this report’s finding that there is a positive correlation between being flexible and having a happier workforce. Flexible working practices allow everyone in your organisation the chance to shine, regardless of what’s going on outside of work.”
A finding that we were disappointed to read was that both personal and career development opportunities differ, often significantly, by gender, age, sector and occupational class. The statistic in this which stood out to us was that there is a significant gap in the perceived skills development opportunities for the 45-54 age bracket. It has started some interesting conversations amongst our team as to the skills development opportunities appropriate and available for this age group.
“One of the five pillars of the Fair Work Framework is opportunity.” says Gordon White, Connect Three’s Operations Manager. “Seeing this perceived gap in skills development opportunities for the 45-54 age bracket drives home how important Opportunity is when creating a happier and more productive workplace.”
Other key findings:
You can view all of the results from the report and download the unabridged version here.
For more information on Fair Work and creating Opportunity within your organisation, get in touch with Connect Three today on hello@connectthree.co.uk.