Fair Work Statement

Fair Work Statement: 

Art in Healthcare has an ongoing commitment to Fair Work and a key aim in our Strategic Plan, 2024-2028 is to be the best, most inclusive employer that we can be. One of Art in Healthcare’s three organisational values is Care; We care for people, our art collection and our environment. Our Fair Work Plan, summarised in this statement, sets out how we care for our team of employees, freelance staff and volunteers.  

The Scottish Government’s ambition is that people in Scotland will have a world-leading working life where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society. Fair Work is a key priority for Creative Scotland who are providing us with Multi-Year Funding from 2025 to 2028, and more information can be found at https://www.creativescotland.com/about/strategy/fair-work.  

The Framework for Fair Work has five dimensions:  

1. Effective Voice – effective voice can make a safe environment where dialogue and challenge are dealt with constructively and where workers views are sought out, listened to and can make a difference. We hold regular team meetings as well as line management meetings, senior leadership meetings and strategic meetings, where all staff are encouraged to participate. Agenda setting is shared, and chairing and minuting rotates between all staff. We hold regular artists sharing sessions, and support volunteers via open communication channels and regular check-ins. Exit interviews are used to learn from staff moving on from Art in Healthcare. We are supportive of employees joining a union if they wish to do so and can provide recommendations of unions.  

2. Opportunity – opportunity allows people to find and progress in work. With support from an HR Consultant in 2025 we reviewed job descriptions, the team structure and compensation packages. As a result, we introduced salary bands to enable us to build progression into roles and have created a consistent framework for behavioural competencies. Each member of staff has a training budget including leave to participate in training, or a creative residency. A Yearly Review system is in the process of being designed and will focus on areas for future development. We have a clear policy on the use of volunteers and the time they volunteer with us. Our recruitment system aims to be inclusive, and we support applicants to apply in a format that suits them. 

3. Security - security and stability of employment, income and work. Art in Healthcare does not use zero-hours contracts and uses permanent and long-term fixed-term contracts where funding allows. The board of trustees votes annually on an inflationary uplift to staff salaries, in line with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities [COSLA] proposed annual amount. We pay freelance artists in line with Scottish Artist Union rates. We are Living Wage certified, applying the uplifts in November each year, and are working towards Living Pension certification.  

4. Fulfilment – all types of work at every level can be fulfilling where the tasks, work environment and employment conditions taken together are well aligned to the skills, talents and aspirations of the people who carry it out. We provide a full induction for all staff and volunteers, encourage work/life balance, and support opportunities for development. Each member of staff is allocated a training budget and are encouraged to participate in relevant training and share learning with the wider team. Art in Healthcare is a member of many organisations, supporting the building of professional networks and training opportunities.   

5. Respect - ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff, and of those working with us or participating in our work in all capacities. Mutual respect involves recognising the views, autonomy, status and contribution of others. In this, we are guided by our organisational values of care, community and creativity. We have robust policies on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Health, Safety and Wellbeing, and Flexible Working and a Family Friendly policy; the contents of which enable flexible, hybrid working and carers leave among others. We are an Engaged Carer Positive Employer, committed to being Disability Confident and supporters of the Developing the Young Workforce programme. Art in Healthcare is committed to a workplace free of bullying, discrimination or any other unacceptable behaviours. Our Grievance and Disciplinary Policy sets out clear routes to dealing with any concerns. We also offer staff an Employee Assistance Plan with a local counselling service for up to 6 fully funded sessions. All team members are invited to complete an access rider, allowing us to support any necessary adaptations.