Highlands and Islands Enterprise
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Guide

Fair work in tourism businesses

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People make tourism

Tourism is truly a people business, with employment opportunities found in every corner of the Highlands and Islands. Those who choose to work in the sector gain valuable, lifelong skills - skills that are in high demand and easily transferable to other roles, industries, and locations.

Building tourism as a career of choice for local people is essential to the sector’s long-term success. A strong reputation is vital for any business aiming to be an employer of choice in an increasingly competitive market. In a world where feedback is only a click away, what one visitor says influences the next, and what one employee says can inspire (or deter) the next recruit.

If you’re a tourism employer, we’ve created practical guidance to help ensure your workplace practices attract, support, and inspire your workforce.

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Your business and fair tourism

Attracting, developing and retaining great staff is central to any successful tourism and hospitality business. Your team is key to providing a high-quality service and maintaining an excellent reputation, both with customers and in your local community.

Are you focused on being a fair work employer, and ensuring your workers feel valued? We’ve been speaking to tourism and hospitality businesses from across the region to create this latest edition of the Fair Work Guide for Tourism Employers. It’s got a range of no-nonsense advice and tips from business leaders just like you. Open the door to great working relationships.

See the guide

If you’d like a printed copy please email tourism@hient.co.uk

Fair work includes truly listening to your team and creating an environment where everyone feels their input is welcome and important.

Audrey Maclennan , Senior Development Manager - Tourism, HIE
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How fair are you?

To help you identify where you are now, a fair work self assessment tool has been developed to help you understand and implement fair work practices in your organisation. Once you have familiarised yourself with our fair work guide for tourism, you can complete this assessment yourself or together with your team.

Find out more about fair work practices and access the self assessment tool. 

Marina Huggett Changing The Pay Structure
Ali Smith Being Transparent To Empower Your Workforce
Ian Wick Sociable Opportunities For Communication
Michael Miele Involving Staff In Decision Making
Ali Smith & Marina Huggett Valuing Cleaning Staff
Craig Ewan & Marina Huggett Empowering Staff In Their Roles
Lisa Sainsbury Practical Ways To Make Staff Feel Valued
Ellie Lamont Defining Roles And Expectations To Create Respect
Ali Smith Appropriate Use Of Zero Hours Contracts
Ian Leith Understanding And Appreciating What Others Do
Martin Murray Recognising Mistakes And Learning From Them
Michael Miele Include Staff In Business Growth & Development
Simon Collier Supporting Staff & Respecting Work Life Balance
Jo De Sylva Bonding As A Team And Offering Benefits To Staff
Jo De Sylva Give Staff A Stake In The Future Of Your Business
Michael Miele Making Pay Structure Fair For All
Ali Smith & Archie Maclellan The Challenges Of Seasonality
Helen Dick & Jason Coles Supporting Employees' Lifestyles
Ellie Lamont The Mutual Benefits Of Modern Apprenticeships
Iain Jurgenson Taking A Holistic Approach As An Employer

Changing the pay structure - Marina Huggett

Being transparent to empower your workforce - Ali Smith

Sociable opportunities for communication - Ian Wick

Involving staff in decision making - Michael Miele

Valuing cleaning staff - Ali Smith & Marina Huggett

Empowering staff in their roles - Craig Ewan & Marina Huggett

Practical ways to make staff feel valued - Lisa Sainsbury

Defining roles and expectations to create respect - Ellie Lamont

Appropriate use of zero hours contracts - Ali Smith

Understanding and appreciating what others do - Ian Leith

Recognising mistakes and learning from them - Martin Murray

Include staff in business growth & development - Michael Miele

Supporting staff & respecting work life balance - Simon Collier

Bonding as a team and offering benefits to staff - Jo De Sylva

Give staff a stake in the future of your business - Jo De Sylva

Making pay structure fair for all - Michael Miele

The challenges of seasonality - Ali Smith & Archie MacLellan

Supporting employees' lifestyles - Helen Dick & Jason Coles

The mutual benefits of modern apprenticeships - Ellie Lamont

Taking a holistic approach as an employer - Iain Jurgenson

Fair work - employer tips

Employers from across the Highlands and Islands share their own knowledge and experience of what they do to apply the principles of fair work in their organisations.

Where to next?

Have a look at some of our other support services and additional resources.

Browse all support services

We support businesses, communities and social enterprises through a range of services, including advice, funding, events and property. Find out how we can help you.

Fair work

Fair Work aims to balance the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers and generates mutual benefits for individuals, organisations and society.

Scottish Business Pledge

The Scottish Business Pledge is based on boosting productivity and competitiveness through fairness, equality and sustainable employment.

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