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Staff assistance, well-being and health
Employee assistance
SQA pays for a free and confidential employee assistance programme provided by the Employee Counselling Service. The Employee Counselling Service provides staff with an independent service, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Their helpline can direct you to professional help on almost any issue as well as providing structured counselling to help with personal/family problems or work-related concerns.
Special leave policy
SQA recognises that staff have domestic and personal responsibilities outside work and our culture is to support staff through the provision of the special leave policy. This allows staff to take time off when required, with the approval of the line manager. The special leave policy offers opportunities for parental leave (unpaid); time off for dependants (paid and unpaid); extended annual leave (unpaid); sabbaticals (unpaid); moving house day (paid); leave for public duties (paid).
Make a Change
The Make a Change (MAC) Group is a group run by SQA staff for the benefit of SQA staff. The group arranges events and health promotions from football to free on-site yoga, T’ai chi and Pilates. The group runs health awareness events on site, inviting external organisations to provide staff with information and advice on all matters relating to improving health and well-being.
Occupational health
SQA's on-site Occupational Health Manager provides staff with confidential medical advice to support them in resolving medical problems which are impacting on their working life. The service can be accessed through staff self-referral or through our HR Team. The Occupational Health Manager is also responsible for arranging other all-staff health initiatives, for example free all-staff health checks.
Eye care
SQA offers all staff the option to have their eyes tested free of charge with Black and Lizars. If you wish to have an eye test, you should contact Black and Lizars directly to arrange an appointment. If you need VDU corrective glasses, SQA will reimburse you to the value of £45.