I am grateful to the trade union PCS for bringing this issue to the attention of the public and MPs. My SNP colleague Chris Stephens MP has tabled an Early Day Motion on this issue, and I too am concerned that performance management systems operating in UK Government departments are discriminatory and unfair. I am particularly concerned to read research from Keele University which indicates that there are statistically significant differences in performance outcomes based on gender, age, grade and working patterns and, particularly, in relation to disability and ethnicity.
I should point out at that this study focussed on the UK Civil Service and it is this service with which there is an identified issue. The UK Civil Service is distinct from the Civil Service which supports the Scottish Government.
I have added my signature to Chris Stephens’ EDM, which will appear online after the summer recess, and am pleased to join him in calling on the UK Government to ensure that performance is managed in the civil service in a way that is supportive of staff, and enables them to reach their full potential.
You can view the Early Day Motion here
You can read the PCS press release and find links to the research here
