By Jill Hamilton

16 January 2019

Our practice has always recognised that looking after our people, caring for our collaborators and suppliers, and helping our local communities are all serious responsibilities which result in benefits for all. Over the years, as the practice has grown, we have built on this commitment to implement responsible employer practices in all of our five UK offices.

As a result of this work, the Edinburgh office recently signed up to the Scottish Business Pledge, a values-led partnership between Scottish Government and business. The Scottish Business Pledge has the ambition of boosting productivity, competitiveness, sustainable employment, and workforce engagement and development.

Making the Scottish Business Pledge means committing to paying the Living Wage and to achieving 2 of the additional 8 actions listed below:

1. Paying the living wage
2. Not using exploitative zero hours contracts
3. Supporting progressive workforce engagement
4. Investing in Youth
5. Making progress on diversity and gender balance
6. Committing to an innovation programme
7. Pursuing international business opportunities
8. Playing an active role in the community
9. Committing to prompt payment

Our Edinburgh office pledge proposal confirmed that, as a result of the wider practice efforts, we are already achieving all 9 of the Scottish Business Pledge actions. We have committed to maintaining this high level of responsibility in the future, recognising that what is important is the journey and the need to embrace a broad spectrum of progressive practices in the longer term.

We are now proud to be sharing space on the Pledge Wall with like-minded businesses including many of our clients and project collaborators.

Jill Hamilton is the Office Manager in our Edinburgh office and can be contacted on 0131 476 6001 and by email at j.hamilton@maxfordham.com