Equality
SQA is committed to equality of opportunity and to a culture that respects difference. We believe that, as an employer and public body, we can play a leading part in promoting equality and diversity more widely.
The public sector equality duty provides the framework for SQA to positively contribute to a more equal society through advancing equality and good relations in its day-to-day business.
We are committed to mainstreaming equality into our operations for the benefit of all our staff and customers. The general equality duty requires us to:
- Advance equality of opportunity
- Foster good relations and
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination
These responsibilities set a clear expectation that public services must treat everyone with dignity and respect. SQA aims to ensure its services are accessible to all, whoever they are, wherever they are and whatever their needs.
SQA is a Disability Confident employer. The Disability Confident scheme aims to help us on our journey to successfully employing, supporting and retaining disabled people and those with health conditions. As a Disability Confident employer we have made a commitment to a number actions and will continually monitor our progress towards achieving them.
We are also committed to our membership as a Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion and to promoting a workplace where all employees, including LGBT colleagues, in SQA can be themselves.
Gender equality and transgender learners
Information on our procedures for updating and amending SQA records for trans learners.
- Understanding gender identity and transgender - information for SQA staff and centres
- Updating personal information for trans learners - guidance for centres
- Updating personal information - guidance for trans learners
Equality Mainstreaming Report
Our Equality Mainstreaming Report 2015-17 (1.01 MB) demonstrates our continued commitment to equality and diversity and how seriously it is considered as part of SQA’s day to day business and decision making. We also report our progress in achieving our equality outcomes and include SQA’s employment monitoring information.
Equality Outcomes 2017-21
Our Equality Outcomes 2017-21 (213 KB) set out the contributory actions we will take forward to achieve these revised outcomes and how we will measure our progress. We also provide detailed information about the sources of evidence that were considered as part of our work to review our priorities and revise SQA’s equality outcomes.
Equal Pay Statement
SQA is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that all staff are treated equally regardless of their age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, marital/civil partner status, religion or belief, disability, pregnancy or maternity. We support the principles that all employees should receive equal pay for the same or like work or work of equal value and will operate a pay and reward system which is fair, transparent and free from bias.
Pay Policy
SQA’s objective is to ensure that it implements fair, just and lawful practices with regards to pay.
In order to meet this objective SQA will:
- Carry out an annual equal pay review to identify any differences in pay between men and women including occupational segregation. In 2016, SQA extended this review to cover race and disability
- Review the current pay system in conjunction with SQA’s recognised trade unions to ensure it meets Equal Pay obligations and is consistent with our Corporate Objectives and Values. This includes the maintenance and application of Job Evaluation, in line with SQA’s Job Evaluation Guidance underpinning SQA’s grading structure
- Carry out Performance Management in line with SQA’s published Performance Management Handbook providing a tool by which an individual’s performance can be measured by their line manager against the achievement of operational objectives
- Provide advice and guidance to those involved in determining staff salaries in line with SQA’s Pay Procedures
- Inform staff as to how the pay system operates and how their own pay is calculated in line with SQA’s Pay Procedures
- Ensure that staff are aware that they can enquire about their pay and grading (including salary progression). Provide prompt response to enquiries and inform staff that, if not satisfied, they can use the procedure set out in SQA’s Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedure
SQA’s equal pay review and occupational segregation information is published as part of its Equality Mainstreaming Report.