# Sector's role as an employer

**The voluntary sector is a significant employer, with over 136,000+ staff (5% of the Scottish workforce).**

The voluntary sector is a significant employer, with over 136,000+ staff (5% of the Scottish workforce). By comparison, the sector employs more people than the Food & Drink production sector ([Scottish Government Growth Sector Statistics](https://www.gov.scot/publications/growth-sector-statistics/)).

By creating jobs, organisations in the sector contribute to the economy and GDP. Women make up 64.5% of the sector’s workforce. 37% of employees work part-time and 23% of employees have a disability, which is more than in the public and private sectors. Find out more in this [Scottish Government study on Scotland's labour market](https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-labour-market-people-places-and-regions-background-tables-and-charts/).

Not only do these figures indicate that the voluntary sector is a major employer, they also demonstrate how the sector offers opportunities to individuals who may otherwise be faced with barriers to access employment, and increased likelihood to be living in poverty. [Fair Work](https://scvo.scot/policy/fair-funding-procurement/fair-work) also matters (see below).

#### [](#c-_iA8Fyyvhq)

#### [Fair Work  
](#c-ghWGXNs-yd)

Fair Work for the voluntary sector workforce is an SCVO priority. We are calling for voluntary organisations to be supported and resourced to be Fair Work employers.

Grants and contracts Scottish Government, their agencies, and other public bodies award should support Fair Work and cover the full costs of employing staff, including at least the Real Living Wage, increased costs of National Insurance Contributions (NICs), inflation-based uplifts on par with those offered to public sector staff, and parity with public sector pay, addressing long-standing disparities between the public and voluntary sectors.  

## Latest news & opinion

The latest ****sector's role as an employer**** news and blogs. **[Read more](/policy/fair-funding-procurement/sector-role-as-an-employer/news)**

No results

## Latest briefings & policy papers

The latest ********procurement******** briefings and policy papers from the policy team. **[Read more](/policy/fair-funding-procurement/sectors-role-as-an-employer/reports)**

No results

## Latest consultation responses

The latest ********procurement******** consultation responses from the policy team. **[Read more](/policy/fair-funding-procurement/sectors-role-as-an-employer/consultation-responses)**

No results

## Contact us

If you have any questions on ****sector's role as an employer****, want to discuss our calls in more detail, or believe you have evidence, resources, or experiences that could support our work, please contact Sheghley Ogilvie, Policy & Public Affairs Officer.

[Get in touch](mailto:sheghley'ogilvie@scvo.scot)

---

## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)