LGBT+ Trans and Non Binary Equality and Inclusion Policy: FOI release

Information requested

1. Within your organisation, what policies exist to support staff members who identify as transgender and are transitioning?

2. With respect to the question above, could you please provide a copy of the policies to support staff who identify as transgender?

3. Do you have any information publications or presentations available to staff regarding LGBTQ+ and Transgender, if so please could you provide details and copies of the information?

4. How many persons who identify as transgender are employed or volunteer with your organisation, and at what grade or position are they employed?

5. What advice and information do you supply to managers and staff regarding Transgender? Do you provide any specialist training in dealing with colleagues or clients who identify as transgender? If so, please provide copies of the relevant policies and material.

6. Does your organisation have any connections with Stonewall or similar organisations to support employees from the LGBTQ+ and Transgender community, and if so, please could you provide further details and copies of any documents or policies?

7. Do you have any specific policies to support staff members transitioning/transgender where they are deployed or employed in the organisation and in dealing with members of the public? If so, please could you provide further information?

8. Do you have a specific lead or individual(s) who deal with LGBTQ+ issues or liaisons within the organisation? If so, please could you provide details? 

9. Do you have specific policies regarding keeping female, LGBTQ+ and transgender staff safe? If so, please provide details and copies of any relevant policies?

Response

Questions 1, 2 and 7
Scottish Government has a Trans and Non Binary Equality and Inclusion Policy to support staff members. Please refer to a previous FOI on this policy - Scottish Government's Transgender Policy: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot), however Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

Question 3
The main publication available to staff in Scottish Government is our trans and non binary policy. Our learning platform also contains a range of publicly available resources to support understanding around the protected characteristics of sexual orientation and gender reassignment. Please see attached a copy of the most relevant links available within our learning platform.

Question 4
We don’t currently collect data on the trans status or trans history of our staff through our diversity monitoring form.

Question 5
Please see the link above to our Trans and Non Binary Equality and Inclusion Policy which is the main source of advice and information for managers and staff. Our learning platform also contains a range of publicly available resources to support understanding around the protected characteristics. Please see attached a copy of the links available within our learning platform specific to this area.

Question 6
The Scottish Government participates in Stonewall's Diversity Champion's Corporate Membership Scheme. The organisation has also taken part in their Work Equality Index in the past. This gives access to some learning materials. Please see attached the learning platform links provided to build awareness and understanding to employees. Stonewall resources are referred to within this area.

The organisation has also taken part in Stonewall's Work Equality Index last year. You may wish to refer to previous FOIs to view the associated documents Scottish Government's submission to the 2023 Stonewall Equality Index: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot), however Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

Question 8
Scottish Government have a diversity and inclusion team focused on employee matters. The team’s roles cover a broad range of diversity and inclusion responsibilities. You may wish to refer to a previous FOI containing a list of wider equality roles within the organisation Diversity, Inclusion and Equality roles:  FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot), however Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

Question 9
Please see the Trans and Non Binary Equality and Inclusion Policy as noted above. In addition, all Scottish Government employees are required to adhere to our Standards of Behaviour Policy, and the Civil Service Code. Further information on Standards of Behaviour can be found in a previous FOI Employee grievance and discipline policies/procedures: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot), and information on the Civil Service Code is also available to the public Civil Service Code - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Please note that under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400396818 - Information Released - Annex

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