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Mu Phàrlamaid na h-Alba

Policies

The Scottish Parliament has a number of policies which state how the organisation is run across a range of different areas.



A

Acceptable use of IT

This policy sets out the use of the SPCB's IT system.

Read the acceptable use of IT policy


Art collection

The art collection policy has details on how the Parliament's art collection will be managed. 

Read the art collection policy (153KB, pdf) posted 09 March 2021


B

Bereavement

Our bereavement policy covers what support you can access when someone close to you dies.

Read the bereavement policy


Bullying and harassment

We all have a responsibility to make sure we have an environment where bullying, harassment and victimisation are not tolerated. We know it can be difficult to bring forward a complaint, our procedures are there to support you.

Reporting procedures and support


Business continuity

This policy covers the event of a significant disruption to normal business, including bad weather.

Read the business continuity policy


C

Charities and fund-raising

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) does not endorse any charity other than PoppyScotland.

Read the charities and fund-raising policy


Complaints

The Scottish Parliament is committed to providing high-quality customer service. We value complaints and use information from them to help us improve our services. If something goes wrong or you are unhappy with our staff or services, please tell us.

Information on how you can make a complaint

If you simply want to make a suggestion or pay us a compliment, please contact Public Information and Resources.


D

Data protection

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is fully committed to compliance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (the GDPR) which came into force on 25 May 2018 and the Data Protection Act 2018 (the DPA).

Read the Data protection policy


Diversity and inclusion

Our employee handbook includes a number of progressive policies and you can find out more in the equity, diversity and inclusion pages.

Equity, diversity and inclusion


Domestic abuse

Find out about support for domestic abuse.

Read the domestic abuse policy


E

Environment

The Scottish Parliament is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and using fewer resources.

Read about the Environmental policy


F

Flag-flying

This policy details the Scottish Parliament's flag-flying guidelines.

Read the flag-flying policy


H

Health and safety

This policy covers health and safety for all building users.

Read the health and safety policy


L

Language

This policy covers the use of language in the Scottish Parliament.

Read the language policy


M

Mobile devices

This policy covers mobile devices provided by the SPCB.

Read the mobile device policy


MSPs: expenses

MSPs can claim money back for 'expenses' (costs). These must be costs from carrying out their duties in Parliament or helping their constituents.

Find out more about the Members' Expenses Scheme


MSPs: parliamentary-funded communications

This policy covers Members' use of parliamentary-funded communications.

Read the parliamentary-funded communications policy


MSPs: use of parliamentary resources

Parliamentary resources are provided by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to support MSPs in undertaking their parliamentary duties and include items such as office equipment and furniture, IT and mail systems, meeting rooms and the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme. It also includes financial assistance to non-Scottish Government parties. These resources are provided by the SPCB to support MSPs with their parliamentary duties and must not be used to any significant extent for any other purpose including any party political purpose.

The SPCB appreciates there can sometimes be a fine line between something that is parliamentary and party political and Members have to use their judgement accordingly. Where there is any doubt, MSPs are encouraged to seek advice from the contact points provided in the various policies and guidance.


MSPs: use of the Corporate Identity

These policies explain how the Scottish Parliament's Corporate Identity should be used by MSPs.

Policy on MSPs' use of the Corporate Identity (63KB, pdf) posted 04 May 2021

Policy on the use of the Corporate Identity on MSP Office Signage (1MB, pdf) posted 04 September 2023


O

Online discussion rules

These rules apply to all Scottish Parliament social media accounts, online forums, and digital engagement tools.

Read the online discussion rules


P

Period and menopause

This policy covers support for problematic period or menopause symptoms.

Read the period and menopause policy


Positive about mental health

This policy supports a workplace environment that promotes good mental health and wellbeing.

Read the positive about mental health policy


Procurement

The procurement policy helps us make sure that SPCB procurement:

  • follows public procurement regulations
  • is fair, ethical and transparent
  • achieves value for money
  • is sustainable and delivers benefits to society, the economy and the environment

Read the procurement policy


Protest policy

The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) recognises the importance of peaceful protests and demonstrations at the Scottish Parliament. The protest policy ensures protests protect the rights of everyone visiting, working, and living in and around the Parliament.

Read the protest policy


Public interest disclosure

This policy covers whistleblowing.

Read the public interest disclosure policy


R

Records management

The records management policy sets out practices for the creation, management and disposal of our information.

Read our records management policy (300KB, pdf) posted 08 March 2023

Read our records management plan (1MB, pdf) posted 23 July 2023

Read our records management strategy (163KB, pdf) posted 08 March 2023

Find out more about our protective marking system (357KB, pdf) posted 08 March 2023


S

Sexual harassment

This policy sets out standards of behaviour that apply to everyone who works in the Scottish Parliament and constituency and regional offices.

Read the sexual harassment policy


Smoke-free

This policy the policy has been developed to protect all building users from exposure to second-hand smoke and to assist compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

Read the smoke-free policy


Social media: personal use

This policy covers anything posted on social media in a personal capacity.

Read the personal use of social media policy


Social media: use of corporate channels

If you’re authorised to use our official social media channels to engage with the public you should follow the social media policy.

Read the SPCB social media policy


Social media: use of Parliament TV clips

The following guidance applies to downloading and sharing clips from Scottish Parliament TV.

Read the social media: use of Parliament TV clips guidance


Special leave

The special leave policy covers a range of reasons why you might need time off work.

Read the special leave policy


T

Trans and non-binary

This policy details support to ensure a successful workplace transition.

Read the trans and non-binary policy


U

Unacceptable actions

In line with the Scottish Parliament’s founding principles of openness and accessibility, we are committed to encouraging people to get involved in the work of their Parliament. We believe that all members of the public have the right to be heard, understood and respected. We believe that our staff have the same rights.

Very occasionally, the behaviour or actions of people make it difficult for us to continue to engage with them. In such circumstances, we will consider the impact of this behaviour on our staff and on our ability to do our work and provide a service to others.

Our unacceptable actions policy explains what we consider to be unreasonable and unacceptable behaviour or actions by members of the public and how we will approach these situations.

Read the unacceptable actions policy (150KB, pdf) posted 11 April 2023


V

Visiting

The visitor behaviour policy applies to all visitors to the Scottish Parliament.

Read the visitor behaviour policy

Read the visitor booking privacy statement


Vulnerability disclosure

This policy covers how to report a suspected a cyber-security vulnerability to the Scottish Parliament.

Read the Vulnerability disclosure policy