Formal disciplinary procedures for Scottish Government staff using online video streaming services: FOI release

Information requested

Please provide the total number of Scottish Government employees who have been subject to disciplinary procedures for using online video streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, or Apple TV, on Scottish Government laptops since 2021.

Response

As outlined in the Scottish Government’s IT Code of Conduct, attempts to access inappropriate material or to use inappropriate online services are considered to be a disciplinary matter. Action is taken in line with the Scottish Government disciplinary policy where concerns are identified.

Line managers are expected to deal with any instances of minor misconduct which relate to the misuse of Scottish Government IT devices. This involves line managers dealing with concerns about inappropriate behaviour at an early stage and where appropriate, on an informal basis. Informal action could include addressing concerns through discussion, feedback, training and coaching. Where an allegation of misconduct is more serious, formal disciplinary procedures would apply. There is no requirement to report any instances of informal action taken against a member of staff to HR, and therefore no central record is held of any informal action taken.

I can confirm that since 1 January 2021, no Scottish Government member of staff has been the subject of a formal disciplinary procedure for using an online video streaming service on a Scottish Government laptop.

You will wish to note that the information provided above relates to the arrangements that apply in the core Director-General areas within the Scottish Government (see Annex A for details).

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.

FOI 202500482316 - Information Released - Annex A

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