A severance policy for Scotland: consultation

6 A case for change

In making final decisions about the issues described in this consultation, consideration will be given to the impact that changes to severance arrangements can make on the following key factors:

• Industrial relations and Fair Work principles
• On delivering flexible and responsive public services
• A desire to ensure that severance payments are not excessive and offer value for money
• Ability to ensure there is greater consistency of application across sectors, including between the reformed Civil Service Compensation Scheme and devolved schemes, where that is seen to be valuable
• Ability of employers to continue to re‑shape organisations and deliver services
• The risks and opportunities presented by taking different approaches where there is a UK‑wide labour market

Question 25

Do you think these are the appropriate factors to consider when making the case for change to severance arrangements in the devolved public sector? Yes / No

From the following list, please select all those you consider to be priority factors

• Industrial relations and Fair Work principles
• On delivering flexible and responsive public services
• A desire to ensure that severance payments are not excessive and offer value for money
• Ability to ensure there is greater consistency of application across sectors, including between the reformed Civil Service Compensation Scheme and devolved schemes, where that is seen to be valuable
• Ability of employers to continue to re‑shape organisations and deliver services
• The risks and opportunities presented by taking different approaches where there is a UK‑wide labour market
• Other (please specify)

Please give reasons for your response.

Question 26

Are there any other risks you think should be part of Scottish Ministers decision making on this issue? Yes / No

Please give reasons for your response.

This consultation has sought views on a number of specific policy options that are deliverable through new and existing powers and has examined existing measures for exit payments, recovery arrangements and exit payment terms across the devolved public sector in Scotland.

Question 27

In conclusion, which of the following options best reflects your views of reform of severance arrangements across the devolved public sector? Please select appropriate option.

• Option 1. Status quo - No reform is required as current compensation arrangements meet best value and deliver against Fair Work principles
• Option 2. Non‑legislative change - Consider reforms to current devolved compensation arrangements that would improve value for money and deliver on Fair Work principles but which do not require use of Regulations
• Option 3. Replicating UK arrangements - Agree to make reforms in line with the reformed Civil Service Compensation Scheme arrangements and the UK Government's proposals to implement a £95,000 exit payment cap and recovery of exit payments for those who earned more than £80,000 and return to the public sector
• Option 4. A hybrid approach - Agree to reform using the powers conferred on Scottish Ministers and implement a hybrid of legislative and non‑legislative change which could, for example, strengthen existing severance arrangements and/or introduce some form of different cap and/or recovery arrangements.

Please give reasons for your response.

Question 28 / final comments

Any other comments please include them here