NHSScotland personal development planning and performance review policy: equality impact assessment results

4. Key Findings

The EQIA has highlighted areas with potential impacts on different groups and opportunities for promoting equality.

The NHSScotland Personal Development Planning and Performance Review Policy has a positive impact in eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation across all protected characteristics. This may be particularly evident in respect of age and disability. The Personal Development Planning and Performance Review Policy:

• applies to all employees and bank and sessional workers.
• complies with current legislation and meets the aims of the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010
• supports managers in considering reasonable adjustments to meet employees' declared needs under the Equality Act 2010
• adopts non-gendered terminology with role specific terms such as manager and employee, and gender- neutral pronouns
• reinforces compliance with the Equality Act (2010) and the Principles and Values | NHS Scotland.
• fulfils legislative requirements and complies with statutory responsibilities.

The NHSScotland Personal Development Planning and Performance Review Policy has a positive impact in advancing equality of opportunity across all protected characteristics. The Personal Development Planning and Performance Review Policy:

• provides a consistent approach and a clear framework for managers to give positive feedback and to support employees
• provides an opportunity to consider wider development and career aspirations.
• is accessible through a purpose built NHSScotland Workforce Policies website. The website scores high on the System Usability Scale (universal usability scoring system). This may particularly support older staff or staff with certain disabilities, advancing equality of opportunity through accessibility.
• was developed using usability studies. Insights from user testing have been used to improve the experience for all staff.
• promotes a person-centred approach across the policy and supporting documents.

The Personal Development Planning and Performance Review Policy has a positive impact in promoting good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. The process provides a consistent approach and a clear framework for managers to give positive feedback and to support employees.

The website was developed through extensive user testing and is compliant to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standard. However, in terms of access to the policy, it was identified that some staff may struggle with technology or do not have access or experience of using IT equipment and could be disadvantaged. This may be more likely in older age groups.

The following actions have been taken to minimise any negative impact:

• policies and supporting documents have been created as downloadable documents which can be printed and shared in hard copy.
• where an employee is to be supported and managed through a policy, managers are required to formally write to the employee informing them of this. The letter will include a hard copy of the policy and supporting documents such as flowcharts and employee guide.
• downloadable copies of the policy and supporting documents include a references section. This details in full any hyperlinks contained within the document to support those accessing hard copies and provide signposting.

Scottish Government will continue to monitor and review this EQIA to ensure ongoing assessment of potential impacts on people with protected characteristics.