About public sector employment statistics: employment by organisation

About these statistics

Public sector organisation employment (PSOE) data (full-time equivalent (FTE) and headcount) are presented for a subset of organisations in the devolved public sector in Scotland. Data are reported on a quarterly basis from 2019 Q1 (March) and are not seasonally adjusted. 

Organisations included in the publication are those classified to the devolved public sector in Scotland at the latest reporting quarter. These organisations have consented to having their individual headcount and full-time equivalent employment figures published by the Scottish Government.  

Organisations for which the Scottish Government does not have consent to publish are excluded from the dataset. Additionally, data for a small number of organisations who did grant consent are suppressed, to prevent potential secondary disclosure of non-consenting organisations, through differencing against published category totals.  

Comparison with other Public Sector Employment in Scotland statistics 

PSOE data are consistent with total sector estimates first published in Public Sector Employment in Scotland (PSE). However, the sum of individual organisation headcount or FTE data may not sum to PSE total sector estimates. This may be due to rounding, suppression and instances where classification changes are incorporated in the sectoral totals. It is advised to use the PSE sector totals. 

Classification 

The public sector is defined by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) based on UK National Accounts definitions. The National Accounts are compiled based on an internationally comparable framework and describe activities in the National Economy.  Table 1 displays the scope of classifications used for organisations in  PSE and PSOE.

Table 1: Classification of organisations used in PSE and PSOE statistics 

More information on how public sector bodies are classified is available in the background and quality information for public sector employment statistics.

For these statistics, classification reflects how organisations were classified in 2026 Q1. Previous reclassifications are not taken into account.

Similarly, where organisations have merged or been absorbed during the time period covered by the publication, this will be reflected as an increase in employment for the successor organisation, while the absorbed organisation will not be included.

Headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE)

The publication includes headcount and full-time equivalent estimates.

Headcount estimates are based on the number of employees with an employment contract who are being paid by the organisation. Employees can be permanent, on a fixed-term contract or employed on a casual basis. Self-employed, contract workers, and agency workers are excluded.

Number of employees on a full-time equivalent basis are based on converting part-time employees' hours into a full-time employee equivalent. This provides a better indicator of total labour input than a simple headcount.

Data collected through the ONS Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey (QPSES) ask organisations for total headcount estimates and full-time equivalent (FTE) estimates based on an employee’s contracted hours, regardless of contract type. However, some data collected by other agencies include FTE estimates based on an employee’s actual worked hours during the survey reference period.

Data Sources 

Organisational employment statistics are collected from the relevant departments and devolved governments plus comprehensive quarterly surveys of Scottish Civil Service, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and Public Corporations, carried out by ONS. Table 2 shows the main data sources used to calculate total public sector employment. Further details about each source is available in the background and quality information for public sector employment statistics.

Table 2: Data source and reference date for sectors/classifications in PSE and PSOE statistics 

Seasonality and trends 

This series is not seasonally adjusted and therefore it is not recommended that quarter on quarter comparisons are made. 

The statistics include a diverse range of organisations with differing functions and responsibilities. Some participating organisations have operating models and delivery responsibilities that involve increases in seasonal or otherwise temporary staff in order to carry out their functions. Users of these statistics should refer to the output of the organisations in question (such as published organisational annual reports and accounts) which often contain further context and explanation, to understand seasonal patterns or apparent departures from trends. Users should exercise caution in drawing conclusions about any particular organisation in the absence of contextual information. 

Rounding and suppression 

Figures of five or greater are rounded to the nearest five, and those less than five are suppressed, to reduce the risk of disclosing sensitive information. 

Figures for some organisations have also been suppressed to reduce the risk of secondary disclosure.