CIPD insights for Scottish employers

By Rebecca Mullins Katie Russell Evelyn Quinn

9 Jun 2026 2 min read

Work colleagues gathered around computer pointing at screen

Practical insights for employers

The Working Lives Scotland report benchmarks job quality across Scotland based on the survey responses from over 1,000 Scottish-based workers across various sectors. Split into five ‘fair work’ themes of respect, security, opportunity, fulfilment, and effective voice, this important report offers evidence from which Scottish employers can shape their working practices.

For employers, the key now is to turn these themes into practical action: review whether workloads and resources are genuinely aligned; assess whether your policies and processes effectively support flexible working, performance management and employee voice; ensure line managers are equipped to hold meaningful conversations and respond consistently; and consider your organisation’s approach to the incoming trade union access rights.

Appreciating that employers may recognise some of the issues highlighted in the report, over a series of articles, we considered the key findings arising out of each theme and identified suggested actions for employers which help address these issues; explore the full series below.

We can advise you on the people issues highlighted in the CIPD report and you can also access all of our employer resources on our ERA Hub. If we can support your organisation with any of these areas, or if you require advice on any aspect of the new ERA provisions, please get in touch with Rebecca Mullins.

Respect at work

This first post in our series looks at the theme of respect, which asked workers about their health and wellbeing, relationships, conflict at work as well as work–life balance.

We considered some of the key statistics arising from the theme of ‘respect’ and identified some practical points for employers to consider to address the issues highlighted in the survey.

Opportunity and security at work

This second post in our series looks at the themes of opportunity and security, which asked workers about career development; flexible working; job security; pay, benefits and financial wellbeing; and automation at work.

We considered some of the key statistics arising from the themes of ‘opportunity’ and ‘security’ and identified some practical points for employers to consider to address the issues highlighted in the survey.

Fulfilment and Effective Voice

In the third post in our series, we are focused on the themes of fulfilment and effective voice.

We considered some of the key statistics arising from the themes of fulfilment and effective voice and identified some practical points for employers to consider to address the issues highlighted in the survey.