WORK POLICY WAS THRASHED OUT

“Whilst we appreciate the sensitivity around ministers that does not and should not lessen the need to encourage staff to feel they can have confidence in the process and ensure their concerns will be heard fully.

“What’s proposed here seems to omit the need for a proper investigation and leaves the responsibility for action with ministers.

“The procedure, in our view, should be as close as possible to non-ministerial cases and the employer needs to play a part to ensure that their staff are protected.” [Redacted] referred to a history of alleged bad behaviour by ministers in the former Scottish Office/Scottish Executive and now the Scottish Government…

[Redacted] explained that whilst the unions are aware of the sensitivity over this issue, they consider it inappropriate for ministers to investigate ministers and suggested that there is a role for the employer as there is in cases not involving ministers.

During the subsequent discussion, it was noted: ● The unions receive phone calls from their members about problems in ministerial offices but no one has submitted a formal report. The unions reported this is frustrating for them. Also, their members perceive the unions as not doing anything about the problem. “[Redacted] had mentioned again looking outside the SG to the UK civil service to handle any situation involving the FM. I know we had considered (and discounted) this but you may wish to confirm this with him.” “My wish is that we get an undertaking from HR that they were aware that, because of the difficulties in this area, we would keep it under review, that the unions would be able to revisit it if it didn’t seem to be working and this was a particular concern about complaints against or involving the FM (whoever occupied that role).”