Island business backs Fair Work

An island tourist accommodation business is backing Fair Work practices that encourage employers to be as flexible and family friendly as possible.

Fair Work Ayrshire is a dedicated service that works with employers across all three Ayrshire local authorities to support, enable and empower them to implement Fair Work in the workplace through policy and practice.

This is delivered with the Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund, which is an Ayrshire Growth Deal Project.

Its aim is to improve prosperity among local people and help a Fair Work region thrive by:

• giving workers a voice
• paying the Real Living Wage, which reflects the cost of living
• offering staff flexible working conditions and
• tackling inequalities such as the gender pay gap.

The approach aligns with the Community Wealth Building economic model, which sees wealth being retained locally thanks to local authorities and partners increasing employment and using local produce and resources.

Daniel Jack, co-founder of the Jack’s Alt Stays themed cabins in Millport on Cumbrae, is backing Fair Work as we mark Challenge Poverty Week (Oct 5 to 11) .

He set up the business with his cousin Adam, and said: “From day one of Jack’s Alt-Stays, Fair Work for us has always been about more than pay - it’s about creating a warm, welcoming workplace where people feel valued, listened to and have opportunities to progress.

“As we embark on the business’ first stage of growth, we’ve continued to develop things like flexible working, regular two-way feedback and up-skilling.

“Our recent expansion from five to eight cabins has allowed us to create a new Team Leader role on our Millport site, and increase the existing Guest Experience team’s year-round working hours at the Real Living Wage.”

The Real Living Wage is independently calculated by the Resolution Foundation based on what people in the UK need to earn to afford a decent standard of living, and it is paid voluntarily by employers.

Daniel and Jack are proud to be Real Living Wage employers, with Daniel explaining: “In the words of the Real Living Wage Foundation themselves, “a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay”.

“We believe that if somebody is contributing to the success of our business, they should be fairly rewarded for the work they do. We choose to pay our team more than the minimum we legally have to because we believe they deserve it.

“It also helps with attracting and retaining good people, which is hugely important for a small, seasonal island tourism business like ours, where the team has such a direct impact on the guest experience.

“We would absolutely encourage other local businesses, particularly in hospitality, to consider accreditation. It’s a positive commitment to your staff and helps promote fairer employment practices within the wider local economy.”

Jack’s Alt Stays has a team of nine staff based in Millport and Daniel says offering them chances to have their say is vital.

“We maintain open, informal and regular communication between staff and management. We encourage regular two-way conversations and make it clear that ideas, suggestions and needs are always welcome to be raised, and will be actioned.

“We aim to create a warm, welcoming team environment where our people feel comfortable speaking up and know their views will be taken seriously,” explained Daniel.

The business’ family-friendly work practices help the team to work around childcare, family commitments, second jobs or even just social time.

Staff can swap shifts between themselves, there are no restrictions on when annual or unpaid leave can be requested throughout the year, and a concerted effort is made to offer proper work-life flexibility.

Support from the Fair Work Ayrshire team, based within North Ayrshire Council, has been important to Daniel and Adam.

Daniel added: “In 2024, we worked with the Council’s Fair Work team to undergo a Fair Work Audit. This support enabled us to look closely at our employment practices, formalise and evidence many of the good things we were already doing day to day, and identify areas where we could do more.

“As a result, positive changes were made, and a statement of our Fair Work commitment was added to the website.

“Ongoing, it’s always helpful - both for the business and the team - to reflect on areas of the Real Living Wage, staff voice, flexible working and development opportunities.

“Having local support and guidance available also helps make the principles of Fair Work feel practical and achievable for a growing small family island business.”

Published: 07 October 2026