WHAT YOU SAID

“We use different tools depending on the purpose of the communication. Messenger is good for just a quick check or chat with staff. Then we use Deputy for more work-based communications and that covers everything from distributing new shifts to documenting training.”

SIMON COLLIER MR C’S BAR

“We’ve launched 10 apprenticeships within the Kingsmills Group and we bring young people in and grow them into the trained supervisors and managers of the future. Working with the local college, we’ve put a recognised programme together to be able to give them that opportunity.”

CRAIG EWAN KINGSMILLS GROUP

“We’re a totally voluntary organisation and we have across the whole organisation somewhere in the region of maybe 60 volunteers. Getting information across to them all at the same time is difficult, so we do try to contact people through digital means, but not all our volunteers engage with technology, so we have to try and do some face-to-face activities when we can.”

IAN LEITH, VOLUNTEER WICK SOCIETY

“It’s really important to give everybody the chance to shine because sometimes it’s those you’d least expect that show the greatest promise, when they are given the opportunity.”

JO DE SYLVA MACGREGOR’S BAR AND BOGBAIN FARM

We had two people on modern apprenticeships which have been very, very successful. They both came in as waitresses and they progressed to being duty managers within three years. One of them is now the manager of a 30-bedroom hotel and the other moved into her dream job having found the confidence to apply after progressing through the modern apprenticeship with the hotel.”

ELLIE LAMONT MACKAYS HOTEL

THE FIVE PILLARS OF FAIR...

The five pillars of fair work provide a checklist to help you make the concept of fair work relevant to your business and your employees; relevant to a small tourism business operating in the Highlands and Islands.

But before we look at the five pillars...remember that no matter what actions you take, you’ll get the best results if you regularly check your approach. Are your changes benefitting both your business and your employees? Don’t just assume what you’re doing is working, people and circumstances change. Be open to regular discussion with your team on what is working well and what could be done better.