Coronavirus (COVID-19) - prolonged home working for Scottish Government staff: equality impact assessment

The Scope of the Equality Impact Assessment

In line with Scotland’s Covid-19 Strategic Framework, the majority of Scottish Government staff have been working from home since March 2020. This decision was taken in line with public health advice, with the objective of protecting staff, visitors and the wider population.

For the small number of essential workers who had a need to attend a Scottish Government office for work, new measures were introduced across the estate to provide a safe workplace. As we look to re-open offices, these measures have been extended across all of our buildings to limit the spread of the virus and ensure compliance with public health guidance.

Given the importance of assessing the impact on each of the protected characteristics, the Scottish Government has considered the measures against the needs of the general equality duty as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
• Advance equality of opportunity; and
• Foster good relations.

With most Scottish Government staff and stakeholders working from home, there has been limited opportunity to gather evidence on the possible impacts of the measures put in place. Where evidence and information exists, we have used emerging analysis of the impact of Covid-19 to inform the policy decisions taken.