As part of Inclusive Workplaces Week Scotland, the Scottish Government Fair Work Communication and Engagement Team hosted a session giving practical advice to employers about understanding Fair Work principles and how to implement them.
There is nothing more powerful than hearing from a workplace who have successfully adopted Fair Work practices. Michael Cusack (Chief Sustainability Officer) from ACS Clothing Ltd, explains their approach…
“Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking during Inclusive Workplaces Week Scotland, sharing ACS Clothing Ltd.’s journey as a Fair Work employer.
Fair Work isn’t a badge we wear — it’s the foundation of how we operate. At ACS we’ve built Fair Work into every part of our culture: Living Wage & Living Hours, inclusive recruitment, strong employee voice, clear pathways for learning and progression, and a deep commitment to wellbeing and community impact.
During the session, I was asked to reflect on three key questions:
Why did ACS adopt Fair Work?
Because fairness, dignity and opportunity for all aren’t “nice to have” — they’re how you build a resilient workforce, strong communities, and a future-proof business.
What challenges did we face?
Fair Work requires honest conversations, new ways of working, and at times making decisions that prioritise people over convenience. But every challenge has strengthened us.
What benefits have we seen?
Higher retention, stronger engagement, improved productivity, a more diverse workforce, and — most importantly — a workplace where people feel secure, valued and proud to belong.
It was inspiring to contribute alongside so many organisations committed to building fairer, more inclusive workplaces across Scotland.
Fair Work isn’t just good for people — it’s good for business, for communities, and for Scotland’s future.”
ACS Clothing are one of our Apt 30 employers: the leading inclusive employers in Scotland who continually demonstrate their commitment to raising standards in inclusive employment. Find out more about Apt 30.
Read more about Fair Work and access links to further support on the Fair Work Resource Hub.
