Freedom of Information Request - Staff Networks
Date: 06 May 2025
Our ref: SIR179931/A5124616
Information Request – Staff Networks
Your Request
'Please include the following information for the financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25:
1. A list of all the staff networks at the organisation
2. Whether each network receives internal funding and, if so, how much (please express annually for the last four financial years)
3. How much FTE equivalent staff time each network is entitled to. For example, a staff network may have a chair who’s entitled to spend 10% of their working hours devoted to the network (please express annually for the last three financial years)
4. A list of events that each network has held in this financial year so far (April to the present day), including the title of the event, information on any guest speakers and the time of the event.'
Our Response
We have responded to each of your questions as follows:
1. A list of all the staff networks at the organisation?
We have six employee networks:
- Disability, Ability, Wellbeing and Neurodiversity (DAWNN)
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Multicultural Network
- Women’s Network
- Young Employees Network
- Age Positive
2. Whether each network receives internal funding and, if so, how much (please express annually for the last four financial years)?
We do not allocate a specific amount to each network. We have an overall budget for increasing and supporting diversity in the workplace and we would use these funds if a network request financial support for an activity. For the Financial periods 2023/24 and 2024/25 we have not funded any network activities.
3. How much FTE equivalent staff time each network is entitled to. For example, as staff network may have a chair who’d entitled to spend 10% of their working hours devoted to the network (please express annually for the last three financial years)?
We don’t limit time spent on network duties
4. A list of events that each network has held in this financial year so far (April to the present day), including the title of the event, information on any guest speakers and the time of the event?
Since 1 April 2025:
− DAWNN meeting – duration 1.5hrs – two internal speakers
− Age Positive meeting – duration 1hr – no guest speakers
− Young Employees Network meeting – duration 2hrs – no guest speakers
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot