Fair Work Statement

Fair Work Statement

Dance North is committed to The Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policies.

We are fully committed to Fair Work across the whole of our operations. We are and will continue to embed the principles of Fair Work for staff/volunteers/artists/freelancers as part of our ongoing endeavours to be a socially responsible organisation.

We seek to always go above and beyond the legal minimum requirements and to this end we stand fully behind the following principles of Fair Work:

Payment of the Real Living Wage:

Dance North is committed to paying at least the Real Living Wage and we are long-standing and active members of the Real Living Wage movement.

Effective Voice:

We believe in amplifying the voices of our whole team (individually and collectively) through various channels of engagement in order to work in partnership and make sure the right decisions are made to ensure workers are treated fairly and equitably. We do this by:

  • encouraging trade union membership and agreeing to collective bargaining.
  • ensuring all staff have input into company strategy, direction, and policy.
  • formal and informal dialogue and clear procedures.

Opportunity:

  • Fair opportunity allows people to access and progress in work and employment and is a crucial dimension of fair work.
  • Our recruitment processes are transparent and open, and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.
  • We send interview questions in advance, and we accept applications in the form of film/video or audio in order to respond to any barriers/challenges individuals may have in relation to written applications (for jobs, residencies, and other opportunities)
  • We employ fair work and flexible working policies and respect that people have family commitments which should not deprive them of opportunities or development within the organisations.
  • Part-time staff are offered the same terms and conditions as full-time staff.

Security:

  • We recognise that security of employment, work and income are important foundations of a successful life. Predictability of working time is often a component of secure working arrangements.
  • Our entry point salary is significantly higher than the Real Living Wage minimum.
  • We oppose zero-hour contracts and fire and rehire practices.
  • We welcome collective bargaining.
  • We pay freelance staff union recommended rates.
  • We monitor gender pay gaps and have a low pay gap ratio.

Fulfilment

Work is an important element of personal identity. It can provide the opportunity – individually and collectively – to learn, to use talents and skills, to engage in challenging activities. Fulfilling work also provides the basis for people to go beyond what is required of them. It encourages creativity and innovation and can unleash the talents and capabilities that generate benefits for them and the organisation.

We offer training and development on joining the organisation and ongoing – with a CPD review every year. We encourage peer-to-peer learning.

We also offer all staff 3 paid volunteer days per year to engage with other organisations or community groups.

Respect

Respect involves recognising others as dignified human beings and recognising their standing and personal worth.

Respect involves ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of others. Mutual respect is an important aspect of everyday social exchange and is a crucial element of relationships in the workplace, meaning that people should treat others in a way they would expect to be treated. We consider dignity at work to mean a workspace that is free from bullying, harassment, victimisation, and discrimination and have strong policies regarding these unacceptable behaviours.

Flexible and family friendly working:

Dance North will do its best to make your working life as comfortable as possible.

We will always do our very best to accommodate flexible/family friendly needs and will assess each person’s needs on an individual basis.

We have a comprehensive flexible and family friendly working policy.

For more detailed information please see our policy in full here.