Scotland

The position across the devolved employers in the Scottish Government is very different. There is a common approach to this issue, although there are differing pay systems in place, says the PCS. Non-consolidated performance-related payments (i.e. bonuses) for “better” performers are currently prohibited by the Scottish Government Public Sector Pay Policy. Instead, all satisfactory performers are given the full pay and progression rises. Some employers have recently broken the link between pay and performance altogether.

As regards “unsatisfactory” performers, some employers have agreed that the pay or progression increase can be paid from the date of the first review when the individual reaches a satisfactory level of performance – usually within three months. The number of “unsatisfactory” performers in the sector are “usually in single figures (if any) per employer”, says the union, “as there is no forced distribution of performance ratings.”