Review of Agenda for Change in NHS Scotland – Equality Impact Assessment

Pregnancy and maternity

Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

Data

NHSScotland workforce data pertaining to Pregnancy and Maternity status is not easy to extract and is not informative for the purpose of this EQIA. There is little data available, with much of it incomplete. As with sick leave, return dates are only input when a date is known, therefore, it is always out of date.

Assessing the impacts and identifying opportunities to promote equality

Policy or Process Development Considerations

Policy Officials have assessed the data and as per the Heads of Agreement, have ensured that any policy or process changes would not incur any financial detriment to staff. If any proposed changes were to impact an individual, they would remain protected through the Equal Pay Act 1970 (legislation.gov.uk).

Review of Band 5 Job Profiles, Protected Learning Time, Pay and Reward & Reduced Working Week Impacts

In assessing whether the policy for all working groups impacts on people because of pregnancy and maternity, it was determined that:

The process has a positive impact in eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Reasons for this decision include:

• The policy has been written to meet legislative requirements, meeting statutory responsibility.

The process has a positive impact in advancing equality of opportunity.

Reasons for this decision include:

• A person-centred approach is promoted in the application of all NHSScotland Workforce policies, this is demonstrated across the policy and supporting documents.

The process has a neutral impact in promoting good relations.

Reasons for this decision include:

• The policy is open to all employees and Employers are encouraged to take a person-centred approach.