Policies
NHS Scotland Workforce Policies
Since 1 March 2020, staff across NHS Scotland have benefitted from a phased launch of a comprehensive set of refreshed Workforce policies which means no matter what Board you are in, the policies will be the same, and easily accessible on any device (mobile, laptop, desktop).
The intention is for the policies to be accessible, simplified and person-centred and applied consistently across NHS Scotland using NHS Scotland’s values, ensuring all staff are treated fairly.
The following policies and guides may be accessed here:
NHSScotland Workforce Policies
Phase 1 policies (March 2020)
- Attendance
- Bullying and Harassment
- Capability
- Conduct
- Grievance
- Workforce Policy Investigation Process
Phase 2.1 policies (November 2023):
- Flexible Work Pattern Policy
- Flexible Work Location Policy
- Retirement Policy
- Career Break Policy
- Special Leave Policy
- Maternity Policy
- New Parent Support Policy
- Parental Leave Policy
- Shared Maternity and Shared Adoption Policy
- Breastfeeding Policy
- Adoption, Fostering and Kinship Policy
Phase 2.2 policies (August 2025):
- Gender-Based Violence
- Facilities Arrangements for Trade Unions and Professional Organisations
- Personal Development Planning and Performance Review (PDPPR)
- Employment Checks
- Fixed Term Contracts
- Secondment
- Redeployment
and accompanying guides:
- Racism
- Reasonable adjustments
- Sexual harassment
The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy and the Gender Transitioning Guide are currently paused to ensure alignment with recent legal rulings and will be issued at a later date.
**To support a smooth and fair transition, any staff member who was engaged under one of the existing policies at August 25, such as redeployment, secondment or those in the notice period of a fixed-term contract, would continue to be supported under the original policy and process until their case concluded.
Phase 3 policies (March 26):
- Adverse Weather
- Alcohol and other Substance
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- Lone Working
- Manual Handling
- Menopause and Menstrual Health
- Smoking and Vaping
- Work-Related Driving
- Work-Related Stress
- Work-Related Violence and Aggression
All the above may be accessed at NHSScotland Workforce Policies
Absence Reporting Link for Practice Trainees
Return to work Form for Practice Trainees
Presentation Workforce Policies - Attendance Policy.pptx
Explainer video https://vimeo.com/393444478
Presentation Workforce Policies - Bullying & Harassment Policy.pptx
Explainer video https://vimeo.com/393444370
Presentation Workforce Policies - Capability Policy.pptx
Explainer video https://vimeo.com/393444279
Presentation Workforce Policies - Conduct Policy.pptx
Explainer video https://vimeo.com/393443457
Disability policy and procedures
Equality and diversity in employment policy
Incorporating flexi time working guidelines, compressed hours, reduced working year, part time work, job share, phased retiral, employment break
Presentation Workforce Policies - Grievance Policy.pptx
Explainer video https://vimeo.com/393443345
Guidance - Staff Undergoing Fertility Treatment
Inclusive Education and Learning
Inclusive education is an approach which recognises and values diversity so that the diverse learning needs and preferences of individual learners are identified and met. Inclusive education is an anticipatory approach which takes proactive steps to identifying and meeting the needs of learners, and anticipates those needs where possible. It also involves providing appropriate learning support so that all learners have the opportunity to maximise their learning outcomes. An inclusive approach to education means that each individual learner is valued and that they are treated with dignity and respect.
Our Inclusive Education and Learning Policy sets out our commitment to making education and learning more inclusive.
For more information about how to make your course or learning resource inclusive, visit the Inclusive education folder on NES Corp hub or the Equality, diversity and human rights hub.
Learning and development policy
Heather Blazejewski and Muriel Russell discuss the HR procedures for maternity leave: https://vimeo.com/218962975
NHS Scotland Global Citizenship HR Guidance
Occupational health and wellbeing policy
Organisational Change Policy and Procedure
Organisational Change Policy Update, as of April 2022.
The refreshed Organisational Change Policy, along with Guiding Principles and a streamlined toolkit have been developed through a collaboration between HR, Staff Side and QI colleagues.
The new addition of Guiding Principles aims to provide clarity on the types of changes that fall within the scope of the Organisational Change Policy.
The Policy itself has not substantively changed, alongside the refreshed Toolkit and templates the aim is to make it easier to navigate and understand the process to enable change facilitated through a partnership approach ensuring consistency to providing support to staff through the change programme.
For further advice or guidance please contact HR via Workforce Service Desk
Overtime and unsocial hours guidelines
Pandemic flu/emergency planning HR policy and staffing plan
Personal review and planning policy
Relocation and Removal Expenses Policy
Incorporating serious illness/bereavement, domestic emergencies, carer leave, other types of special leave
Standard of Business conduct policy
Find out more about whistleblowing in the Help me with section.
Workforce Policy Investigation Process
Presentation Workforce Policies - Investigation Policy.pptx
Explainer video https://vimeo.com/393442831