NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff - working week reduction: Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

Assessment and Improvement

The Working Group considered the data and consultation feedback and has made the following assessment.

• This policy is applied in a uniform manner to all AfC staff with no detriment to basic pay, therefore there is no negative socio-economic impact. In fact, the reduction from 37.5 to 37 hours represents a 1.35% increase in hourly rates.
• The intention of this change is to allow all staff to improve their work life balance.
• The policy has the scope to support employment opportunities by reducing or removing barriers to access or increase work (intensity).
• The policy may have a positive impact in keeping people in work. By reducing the number of hours of required employment, it recognises that the need for flexible working may occur at any age during someone’s career. For example, looking after children or elderly parents.

Conclusions

This reduction in the working week presents an opportunity to modernise how staff are rostered and work, ensuring that NHS Scotland is a leader in flexible and family friendly working practices, and that it remains an employer of choice for health care staff.

Monitoring and Review

In conjunction with the Equality Impact Assessment process, we will continue to review the impact of this policy on socio-economic disadvantage and inequality.