Coronavirus (COVID-19) Staff Information Hub
HR Guidance
If the information you are looking for is not here, please check the existing Human Resources Corporate Policies which holds policies beyond Covid-19.
Removal of temporary Covid Policies / Covid Special Leave Arrangements
To assist staff and the NHS through the Covid pandemic, a series of temporary polices and variations to standard terms and condition were put in place.
Following the standing down of NHS Scotland from an emergency footing on 30 April 2022, the Scottish Government issued DL(2022)21 which confirmed that the majority of temporary Covid related polices ended on 30 June 2022. With regards to COVID Special Leave, transitional arrangements will end on 31 August 2022.
Following the publication of the DL a number of queries were raised around how the provisions it outlined should be applied. An FAQ document has therefore been prepared and added to the original letter which can be accessed here DL(2022)21 – Removal of temporary COVID policies (scot.nhs.uk)
The key points to note are:
- On 31 August 2022, anyone who is absent from work with Covid Related Symptoms (long covid) and recorded as Covid Special Leave and remains unfit to return to work, shall be placed onto sick leave – covid related illness from 1 September 2022. Staff shall transition from special leave onto their contractual sick leave/pay entitlements and be supported in accordance with the Once for Scotland Attendance Policy. Staff are only entitled to carry over statutory annual leave; difference between any annual leave/public holidays taken and the statutory entitlement.
- In accordance with DL (2022)12 staff who work with patients and service users in a face-to-face setting are eligible for routine asymptomatic testing. Where such staff test positive for Covid-19 they are eligible for Covid Special Leave. For full details refer to the DL which can be accessed here DL(2022)12.pdf (scot.nhs.uk)
- Staff who do not work in a face-to-face setting with patients and service users should follow the Stay at Home guidance for the general population. Such staff are not eligible for testing and are if they are not fit to attend work shall be recorded as sick leave and receive appropriate pay as per their contractual entitlements and supported in accordance with the Once for Scotland Attendance Policy.
All other temporary arrangements with the exception overtime for AFC Band 8 and 9 and Senior Managers will stop on 31 August 2022 and revert to normal policy / practice.
Any enquiries relating to the changes detailed within the DL and FAQ’s should be logged through HR Service Now https://nhsnss.service-now.com/
