Staff wellbeing during COVID-19

The request was successful.

Dear The Glasgow School of Art,

I would like to request information regarding support for staff during the pandemic. Specifically, I'd like information on the following:
1. How many staff were furloughed in 2020? (total number)
2. What percentage of total employees were put on furlough?
3. Has your organisation offered any additional paid time off for employees, and if so, how much?
4. Has your organisation offered any additional financial support to employees, and if so, how much?
5. Has your organisation offered any further wellbeing initiatives for staff?

I'd be most grateful if you would consider this request.

Yours faithfully,

C. Williamson

Foicoor, The Glasgow School of Art

Dear C

Ref: FOI/20/21/23

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request, which was received by Glasgow School of Art on 5 January 2021.

We will respond to your request as soon as possible, and no later than 1 February 2021, pending any clarification we may need to seek from you.

Kind Regards

Academic Quality Office

Glasgow School of Art | 167 Renfrew Street | Glasgow G3 6RQ
E: [GSA request email]

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Foicoor, The Glasgow School of Art

Dear C Williamson

Ref: FOI/20/21/23

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request, which was received by Glasgow School of Art on 5 January 2021.

The response below was received from GSA's Head of HR:

1. How many staff were furloughed in 2020? (total number)

224

2. What percentage of total employees were put on furlough?

35%

3. Has your organisation offered any additional paid time off for employees, and if so, how much?

Throughout the year, a total of 4 additional rest days were agreed and given to all staff. This has continued into 2021 and an additional 3 days have been agreed for February, March and April 2021.

4. Has your organisation offered any additional financial support to employees, and if so, how much?

There has been no direct financial support offered to employees, however all of those on furlough leave received their usual pay with the organisation topping up the CJRS government grant.

5. Has your organisation offered any further wellbeing initiatives for staff?

The organisation has added to the current wellbeing offering over the last 12 months, including making digital health platforms accessible to all staff. The SilverCloud platform for example is self-help for well-being and mental health. With 20 programmes to choose from, giving employees access to the tools and skills to feel better and stay better. The Wellbeing site on the staff intranet signposts articles, other health related sites and podcasts, all with the aim of providing as much support as is possible at this time. All of this against the backdrop of the usual Employee Assistance Programmes, updated support policies and procedures and wellbeing resources in place pre-COVID.

This concludes our response to your Freedom of Information request.

Your right to seek a review: -

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Glasgow School of Art has dealt with your request, you have the right to ask us to review our actions and decisions. If you wish to request a review, please contact Mrs Janet Allison, Academic Registrar, [email address] or email: [GSA request email] within 40 working days. Your request must be in a recordable format (letter, email, audio tape, etc.). You will receive a full response to your request for review within 20 working days of its receipt. Please quote the reference number above in any future communications.

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have handled your request for review, you have a right of appeal to the Commissioner. You can now make an appeal online, using the new Commissioners online appeal service. Please find the direct link to this service at www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal. The online appeal service is available 24/7 and offers you real time help and advice about your appeal.

The Commissioner recommends that you appeal online.

Other ways to appeal include:

By email to: [email address]

By post to: Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, KY16 9DS

Kind Regards

Academic Quality Office

Glasgow School of Art | 167 Renfrew Street | Glasgow G3 6RQ
E: [GSA request email]

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