Correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy: FOI release

Information requested

1. Please provide all correspondence, unredacted, relating to the Scottish Government’s correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy. Please provide these details from October 22, 2025 until March 3, 2026.
2. Please provide any correspondence relating to the hybrid working policy published on the Scottish Government’s intranet system within the same timeframe.
3. How many complaints from core staff has the government received regarding the hybrid working plans since May 2025. Please provide a breakdown for how many were received within each month.

Response

For question 1, please see below all the information we hold relevant to your request.

• PCS Feedback – Hybrid - 24/10/25
• Notes and actions - CSGU call of 28 October
• OFF SEN: FW: Hybrid - DG info - 05/11/25
• Hybrid Working Programme – CSGU meeting 11/11/25
• CSGU meeting on hybrid working 20/11/25
• For Review: Notes and actions of yesterday's CSGU call – 25/11/25
• Notes and actions - CSGU call of 25 November
• CSGU meeting on hybrid working – 09/12/25
• Letter from PCS Highlands and Islands Branch
• Notes and actions - CSGU call of 9 December
• CSGU meeting on hybrid working on 6 January 2026
• Notes and actions - CSGU call of 6 January
• CSGU/HRBP Informal
• Building Occupancy data for SG core staff - 19th January 2026
• Notes and actions - CSGU call of 3 February
• Hybrid Working Policy: FDA SG Branch Survey Findings and Recommendations 09/02/26
• CSGU meeting on hybrid working
• Performance management policy – hybrid
• Buillding Occupancy data for SG core staff – 19 January 2026
• CSGU meeting on hybrid working on 17/02/26
• Notes and actions - CSGU call of 17 February
• CSGU meeting on hybrid working on 05/03/26

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, e.g. names/contact details of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

We are withholding some information under section 30(c) of FOISA because releasing internal handling discussions would be likely to prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs. The material includes internal advice and draft media lines, and officials need a private space to provide candid views when preparing responses to external enquiries. While there is a public interest in transparency, we consider that maintaining this private space outweighs that interest in this case.

For question 2, I have supplied the following that is within scope of this request:

• Leadership brief (Oct 22) – item in LB "New hybrid working policy from next week” Leadership brief - 22 October 2025 details - Objective
• Helping us work in our buildings – 27 Oct, article refers to hybrid working policy however focus is on kit in buildings (comments no in scope – not relevant to hybrid working policy)
• More meeting rooms, hybrid stats, pensions update and more – News In Brief 27 Nov, item about building occupancy stats and 32 comments
• Making hybrid work for you- November spotlight
• Ask the Executive Team recap – December 2025 – reference to hybrid working in article and Q&A in transcript

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, e.g. names/contact details of individuals, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

For question 3, since May 2025, there have been no formal complaints raised with HR by staff regarding the hybrid working arrangements.

Staff are expected to raise any concerns they have about the operation of the hybrid working policy with their line management chain in the first instance. Line managers are expected to support staff discussions by being open to resolving issues and concerns. The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally about discussions between line managers and their team members.

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 202600509259 - Information Released - Annex A

File type

PDF

File size

2.3 MB

FOI 202600509259 - Information Released - Annex B

File type

Powerpoint document

File size

143.7 kB