NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has become Scotland’s first health board to be recognised for its work to address the causes of women’s inequality in the workplace.
NHSGGC has achieved Equally Safe at Work (ESaW) Bronze accreditation through Close The Gap, which supports employers to advance gender equality and prevent violence against women.
This milestone marks a significant moment in NHSGGC’s ongoing commitment to fostering a fair, inclusive, and safe working environment, where every member of staff feels respected, valued and able to thrive.
Achieving the accreditation follows focused work to understand and address the barriers women face at work, and to take action that meaningfully improves experiences across the organisation.
The ESaW programme developed by Close The Gap has provided a structured, evidence‑based approach to strengthening gender equality and preventing violence against women, including in the workplace.
It encourages employers to recognise that women’s experiences at work are not all the same, and that effective change requires listening, learning and responding to those differences.
NHSGGC has achieved Bronze tier accreditation, making it the first health board in Scotland to reach this standard. These tiers are cumulative, meaning employers progress to the next levels once the criteria at each stage is achieved and then maintained.
The progress through ESaW builds on the efforts already underway through NHSGGC’s Cut It Out programme, launched in 2024, which sets out the health board’s zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment.
Cut It Out also helps ensure anyone who experiences or witnesses inappropriate behaviour knows how to recognise it and feels supported to report it.
Together, these programmes strengthen a culture in which concerns are taken seriously, voices are heard, and everyone is supported to speak up.
Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHSGGC, said: “Achieving Equally Safe at Work Bronze accreditation is a significant milestone for NHSGGC, and as the first health board in Scotland to do so, it reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where every member of staff feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
“When people feel confident and empowered to reach their full potential, the benefits are felt across our teams, our organisation, and ultimately in the care we provide to patients.
“While this recognition is an important milestone, it is not the end of the journey. It reflects our collective commitment to ongoing improvement and to ensuring NHSGGC remains a place where all staff can work safely, confidently and equally.”
Dr Lesley Thomson KC, NHSGGC Chair, said: “Becoming the first health board in Scotland to achieve this accreditation is something we can all be extremely proud of.
“It demonstrates NHSGGC’s ongoing commitment to listening, learning and taking meaningful action to address the causes of inequality in the workplace.
“Equally Safe at Work and Cut It Out strengthen our determination to build a culture where inappropriate behaviour is challenged, concerns are taken seriously, and every voice is heard.”
Anna Ritchie Allan, Executive Director of Close the Gap, said: “We’re delighted to award bronze accreditation to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which is the first health board in Scotland to achieve this and a sector leader on gender equality at work. Violence Against Women affects all aspects of women’s lives, including the workplace.
“It can make it difficult for victim-survivors to do their job well, prevents them from progressing, and in some cases forces them out of their job altogether. For employers, this can mean reduced productivity, the cost of managing unplanned absences, and higher staff turnover.
“The Equally Safe at Work programme is a tried and tested way for employers to improve their practice, tackle the gender pay gap and better support victim-survivors in the workplace.
“Employers that take steps to advance gender equality at work are more innovative, more productive, better able to manage skills gaps, and are more protected from the costly risk of discrimination.”