NHSSCOTLAND STAFF SURVEY 2013 National Report

11. Treated fairly and consistently, with dignity and respect, in an environment where diversity is valued

How fairly or reasonably staff feel they are treated at work can affect their engagement and motivation. It is also a legal requirement for employers to promote equality and diversity in the workplace. This section of the survey focused on how fairly staff felt they were treated by their line manager, by other colleagues and in relation to promotion opportunities. Staff were also asked about their experience of unfair discrimination at work.

Table 5 shows that three out of four respondents agreed 'I get the help and support I need from colleagues' (Q6b). A lower percentage (59%) agreed 'My line manager encourages me at work' (Q6a). Across NHS Boards, the percentage of those who responded who agreed 'My line manager encourages me at work' ranged from 40% to 75% (see details in Appendix B). Across Staff Groups, the range was from 31% for Ambulance Vehicle Crew who responded to the survey to 81% for Executive Grades/Senior Managers (see details in Appendix C).

A minority of staff who responded to the survey (44%) felt 'My Board acts fairly and offers equality of opportunity with regard to career progression/promotion' (Q6c).

All three statements in this section showed a percentage points decrease in positive response compared to 2010. Of all survey statements, Q6c saw the greatest decrease from 2010 (down 15 percentage points). However, care should be taken with regard to interpretation due to a change in question wording in 2013 (see Appendix F for more details).

In summary, whilst the majority of respondents answered positively in relation to the support and encouragement they received from colleagues and from their line manager, they were less positive in respect of the latter. A minority of those who responded to the survey agreed that their Board 'acts fairly and offers equality of opportunity with regard to career progression/ promotion'.

Table 5: Response to questions relating to the 'Treated Fairly and Consistently' Staff Governance dimension.

Q Indicates a change in question wording from 2010 survey.

11.1 Unfair discrimination

As Table 6 shows, 8% of staff who replied to the survey reported that they had experienced unfair discrimination during the past 12 months from their manager (Q6d). Also, 8% of respondents reported that they had experienced unfair discrimination during the past 12 months 'from other colleagues' (Q6e).

Only one in three of those respondents who had experienced unfair discrimination in the past 12 months said that they had reported it (Q6f). Only around one in four of these (27%) stated that they were satisfied with the response. The most common reason for not reporting was 'I felt nothing would happen', followed by 'I feared what would happen if I did report it' and 'I was concerned about confidentiality'. It should be noted that respondents may have agreed with all, some or none of the reasons listed.

In summary, for the minority of staff who had experienced unfair discrimination in the past 12 months, just one in three had gone on to report it and just over one in four of these were satisfied with the response they received.

Table 6: Response to questions relating to unfair discrimination.

Q Indicates a change in question wording from 2010 survey.

N/A Indicates that direct comparison with 2010 was not possible.