Scottish Parliament staff banned from wearing rainbow lanyards and badges

Scottish Parliament staff will no longer be allowed to wear rainbow lanyards or pins and badges in Holyrood to show support for social movements or events.

The announcement follows a review of the Scottish Parliament Service (SPS) Staff Code of Conduct.

The ban will apply to Scottish Parliament staff, not members of the Scottish Parliament or their staff.

Councilor Claire Baker, a member of the Scottish Parliamentary Body Corporate (SPCB), confirmed the move in the chamber on Thursday.

Ms Baker said: “Employees of corporate institutions must act in an impartial manner.

“As an update, until recently, corporate staff were not allowed to wear personalized lanyards. This was introduced in 2017 as part of a diversity inclusion strategy.

“However, a review of the code of conduct has just been completed.

“It has been decided that all staff (employed by body corporates) must wear a purple lanyard issued by the Council.

“This decision will help minimize the risk of perceptual bias and avoid any perception that wearing such items may influence our own decision-making.”

Lorna Foreman, the head of the people and culture group, sent an email to Scottish Parliament staff on Wednesday saying the policy changes would come into effect immediately and all group leaders “are expected to support the move”.

Staff are now required to wear a purple lanyard issued by the council and remove any pins or badges showing support for social movements and any event or organisation.

Ms Foreman said: “Wearing personalized lanyards and/or pins and badges to show support for social movements and movements or organisations, has led to some organizations and individuals feeling that the SPS cannot be impartial when supporting parliamentary debates on government policy. and raises new laws and current major social issues.

“This decision will help minimize the risk of perceptual bias and avoid any perception that wearing such items may influence our own decision-making.”

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However, staff can continue to wear pronoun pins or badges.

Those who wear a sunflower lanyard/pin/badge identifying their disability may continue to do so, but must also wear a purple lanyard.

Staff can also continue to wear pins and badges such as “First Responder” to identify them as Gaelic speakers.

Poppy badges supporting Poppy Scotland may be worn in line with the Council’s charity and fundraising policy.

Employees may also continue to wear badges and badges to indicate membership of a union recognized by the SPCB.

Ms Forman admitted it would “be difficult for some colleagues” but the council remained committed to “creating a culture where everyone feels safe, valued, included and able to do their best at work”.

A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said: “This decision will help minimize the risk of perceived bias.

“This will also help avoid any potential misunderstandings about the absolute impartiality of all Scottish Parliament staff.”