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Complaint report – Unfair treatment due to an unwritten policy to progress applicants sharing protected characteristics outlined in positive action (diversity) statements in applicant packs before those who do not

| Appointment complaints and investigations | Public Appointments

This investigation was undertaken in response to a stage 3 complaint.  The complainant believed that he had not been selected for interview due to there being an unwritten policy by the Scottish Government to progress applicants who shared protected characteristics as outlined in the positive action statements within the applicant pack, over those who do not share these protected characteristics.
The investigation found no evidence to support this claim and the Commissioner is reassured by the findings about the way in which appointments to public body boards are being made.
The report did however, find some non-compliance in the way that News Releases are being made and the Commissioner made two recommendations to the Scottish Government about practices which could be improved upon, based on the findings of the report.
 

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Download Complaint report – Unfair treatment due to an unwritten policy to progress applicants sharing protected characteristics outlined in positive action (diversity) statements in applicant packs before those who do not publication as pdf