Date: Friday 2 October 2015
The release today (2 October) of the long awaited Staff Survey is a golden opportunity for the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to genuinely engage with police support staff and for both organisations to genuinely commit to responding and acting on the findings of this staff survey.
The findings of the survey are not a surprise? to UNISON and the UNISON members who work in the service. The fact that over 50% of staff responded demonstrates the massive interest employees have in getting their opinions and voices heard.
George McIrvine, UNISON Police Staff Branch Secretary said: “UNISON has said for a long time that there are major issues that need addressing. The fact that only 9% of staff believe that genuine engagement will result from the survey is deeply concerning. ?33% of staff indicating that they intended leaving the organisation is indicative of a workforce who feel neglected, undervalued and under stress. Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland must act on these outcomes.”
Gerry Crawley, UNISON regional organiser and lead negotiator for police support staff in Scotland said: “The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland have received a clear message from UNISON members who work in the service and are committed to delivering an excellent service to the public in Scotland. And the message is this: Don’t under value our roles, don’t ignore our issues, listen to our opinions and act on them.
Gerry Crawley added: “Communication is a key area for UNISON and for UNISON members. 23% of staff who responded said that they found out about changes to their role through the media. This is totally unacceptable. The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland must improve communication with its staff and UNISON will ensure that this is a priority going forward.”
Gerry Crawley added: “One of the most concerning statistics to come out of the survey is that only 8% of staff thought the organisation was genuinely interested in staff wellbeing. This must change. And quickly. UNISON will raise this directly with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, the Chair of the Scottish Police Authority and ensure it is a key priority for the new Chief Constable of Scotland as well”
Ends
UNISON Contacts
George McIrvine, branch secretary of UNISON’s Police Staff Scotland Branch, 07842 542 677
Gerry Crawley, regional organiser for UNISON Scotland, 07958 121 805
Danny Phillips, UNISON communications officer, 07944 664 110 / 0141 418 0824
Note
UNISON represent police support staff, and it is the biggest trade union in Scotland