Publication - FOI/EIR release

Scottish Government hybrid working policy evidence and findings: FOI release

Published: 12 June 2025
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills
FOI reference: FOI/202500465200
Date received: 7 May 2025
Date responded: 5 June 2025

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Information requested

“In the Saltire article "Next Phase of Hybrid Working" published on the SG intranet on 7th May 2025 it says "In coming to this decision, the Executive Team weighed evidence gathered by a small internal hybrid working review team."

“Please can I have a copy of this evidence. I'd like to see any materials that were given/sent to or presented to senior leaders that were involved in developing the hybrid working policy.”

It also says "The hybrid working review provided the Executive Team with valuable insights on our policy, internal and external research, and potential impacts of changes."

“Please can I have copies of all of these insights, pieces of research, and potential impacts.”

It also says the review provided "clear, impartial recommendations"

“Please can I have a copy of these recommendations in full.”

A response by email with attachments is fine”

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested as email attachments.

I have provided the material given/sent or presented to senior leaders that were involved in the developing the hybrid working policy.

Annex 1: 19 August 2024 – email copy of slides for Executive Team in person session arranged for 22 August 2024 to discuss hybrid working review update. Email with 3 attachments;

The Executive Team Blue Box Template
The slide deck that we will use to navigate our part of the discussion.
The second slide deck with supporting evidence and information that can also be referred to in the meeting.

Annex 2: 13 December 2024 – email copy of slides for Executive Team in person session arranged for 17 December 2024 to discuss hybrid working review update. Email with 3 attachments;

The Executive Team Blue Box Template
Executive Team Hybrid Working Update final slides
Executive Team Hybrid Working background material final slides

Annex 3: 17 March 2025 – email copy of slides for Executive Team in person session arranged for 18 March 2025 to discuss the hybrid working recommendations.

Some names have been redacted to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants as is standard practice. Email with 4 attachments;

The Executive Team Blue Box Template
Executive Team Hybrid Working Recommendation final slides
Executive Team Hybrid Working background material final slides
Executive Team Paper hybrid communication element

Annex 4: 17 April 2025 – email copy for Executive Team decision by Correspondence. Hybrid Working Policy Final decision on hybrid policy headlines for Scottish Government and approval for the comms strategy.

Some names have been redacted to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants as is standard practice. Email with 4 attachments;

Executive Team – paper requesting final sign off to settled position April 2025
Annex A to ET update paper – feedback from Directors
Annex B to ET April update on hybrid working – draft policy statement
Annex C to ET update on hybrid working – draft SCS communications pack
EXEMPT - Executive Team – exemption under section 30(b)(i) and Section 30(b)(ii)of FOISA has been applied
EXEMPT - Executive Team – exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA has been applied

Annex 5: various dates - redacted emails covering the materials that were given/sent to or presented to senior leaders that were involved in developing the hybrid working policy covering copy of Executive Team responses by Correspondence on Hybrid Working Policy Final decision on hybrid policy headlines for Scottish Government and approval for the comms strategy.

Some names have been redacted to protect the identity of colleagues who are not Senior Civil Servants as is standard practice.

You requested a copy of the data evidence covering the insights, pieces of research, and potential impacts. I have provided the Executive Team slides which include background material, insights, pieces of research and potential impacts within Annex 1 to 4.

I have also provided a copy of the Corporate Analytical Services Team (CAST) hybrid review evidence update. This evidence review refers to the latest external peer-reviewed research on hybrid and flexible working, wider grey literature, and the latest

People Survey analysis of hybrid working in a Scottish Government context. It also covers information gathered about relevant hybrid policy from other countries and governments.

Annex 6: email copy of the Corporate Analytical Services Team (CAST) hybrid review evidence update.

Lastly, you requested a copy of these recommendations in full, this information has been provided in Annex 3 and Annex 4.

Annex 3: 17 March 2025 – email copy of slides for Executive Team in person session arranged for 18 March 2025 to discuss the hybrid working recommendations. Email includes 4 attachments;

The Executive Team Blue Box Template
Executive Team Hybrid Working Recommendation final slides
Executive Team Hybrid Working background material final slides
Executive Team Paper hybrid communication element

Annex 4: 17 April 2025 – email copy for Executive Team decision by Correspondence. Hybrid Working Policy Final decision on hybrid policy headlines for Scottish Government and approval for the comms strategy. Email includes 4 attachments;

Executive Team – paper requesting final sign off to settled position April 2025
Executive Team update paper – feedback from Directors
Executive Team April update on hybrid working – draft policy statement
Executive Team update on hybrid working – draft SCS communications pack
EXEMPT - Executive Team – exemption under section 30(b)(i) and Section 30(b)(ii)of FOISA has been applied
EXEMPT - Executive Team – exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA has been applied

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) and Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice to other officials before the Scottish Government reaches a settled position. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice could substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice to other officials, as part of the process of exploring and refining policy position. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good policy decisions can be taken.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested, the draft Equality Impact Assessment as we intend to publish this information by the end of July 2025, which is within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until that date, rather than release some of this information before the planned publication.

We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of existing interest in public sector workers and their home working arrangements and this will be met by our planned publication. In the meantime, there is a greater public interest in taking the time necessary to ensure the information has been properly collated and checked before it is published as planned. Also, we see no public interest in disrupting our programme of work to release the information ahead of the intended publication date.

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested, specifically the Equality Impact Assessment which includes the Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment because we intend to publish this information by the end of July 2025, which is within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until that date, rather than release some of this information before the planned publication date.

About FOI

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