Scottish campervan firm accredited as Living Hours employer

A campervan converter company has become the latest accredited Living Hours employer in Scotland demonstrating its commitment to fair work practices.

Jerba Campervans will now offer its staff a minimum of 16 contracted hours per week, unless the employee requests otherwise. Employees will also receive a contract reflecting actual hours worked, as per the Living Hours standard.

Living Hours accreditation requires employers to pay the real Living Wage of £12 per hour UK-wide and £13.15 in London to all employees over 18. Accredited organisations must also provide a minimum of four weeks’ notice for every shift, with payment guaranteed if shifts are cancelled within this period.

This is the latest accreditation bestowed upon the employee-owned business, having previously been awarded the Fair Tax Mark and being presented with the First Minister’s Award for Manufacturing Leadership for its outstanding efforts in employee engagement.

Co-founder Simon Poole said: “We strive to create a progressive and supportive working environment at Jerba. Becoming an accredited Living Hours employer formalises our commitment to fair work standards.

Our employees are integral to the success of our business. Providing secure hours and incomes enables them to plan their lives effectively and provides job security.”

Jerba Campervans joins more than 3,400 accredited Scottish employers spanning the private, public and third sectors in gaining Living Hours accreditation. The standard aims to tackle issues like insecure work and incomes that make planning ahead difficult.

It comes as research indicates more than 250,000 workers in Scotland are paid below the real Living Wage and struggle with unpredictable shift patterns.

Christine McCaig, Projects Co-ordinator at Living Wage Scotland, said: “There are more than 3400 Scottish-based employers that are committed to paying at least the real Living Wage, and it’s fantastic to see Jerba Campervans take further steps to protect their workers from low pay and insecure work by becoming Living Hours accredited.

Jerba Campervans are the first employer based in East Lothian to gain the accreditation, and the values that led them to commit to the real Living Wage are the same values that have led to their expanded commitment to fair work at a time when workers need it most.”

The Scottish Living Hours accreditation scheme launched in 2021 through a partnership between Living Wage Scotland which is part of the Poverty Alliance, and the Living Wage Foundation. The scheme is funded by the Scottish Government.

Jerba Campervans was launched in 2006 and specialises in converting and customising Volkswagen Transporter vans for those passionate about adventure and the outdoors.

Converting Volkswagen T6.1 models, the North Berwick based firm is officially recognised by Volkswagen as a Motorhome Qualified Converter, and is the only firm in Scotland to receive this qualification.

The firm became employee-owned in January 2018 and has seen productivity increase year-on-year. With a dedicated and flexible team, the Jerba Campervans’ family adapts to the needs of its customers, creating a house on wheels with the highest UK level of road safety, assuring customers of a safe and stylish ride.