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Name: Food Standards Scotland Type: Non-clinical Team members: 107

 

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) ensures public health and food safety, employing a diverse team of veterinary and non-veterinary professionals. Head Veterinarian, Elena McWatt, led the initiative for the organisation to achieve Silver Accreditation through Great Workplaces by BVA, which recognises its commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and dynamic workplace culture. The process encompassed 107 staff members across Scotland, with unique challenges posed by remote operations and varied working environments.

Why Food Standards Scotland chose accreditation

For Elena, pursuing accreditation was about gaining independent assurance and a fresh perspective on workplace practices.

"I wanted to validate what we do well while identifying areas for improvement. Being involved in the consultation for the scheme, I was particularly keen to see how it would work for non-clinical workplaces. I’m passionate about inclusivity in the profession, so it was important to ensure the accreditation was adaptable for all kinds of veterinary workplaces. During the early research phase, I offered my thoughts on non-clinical workplace culture and teams, helping shape a scheme that works for everyone.”

Elena also saw this as an opportunity to provide her team with a safe and independent platform to voice concerns that may not have been raised through traditional channels.

The accreditation process

Despite the logistical challenges of involving a dispersed team, the accreditation process was smooth, thanks to careful planning and the flexibility of the accreditation team.

"The process was seamless, and our accreditor was fantastic. She quickly grasped the nuances of our non-clinical work and even familiarised herself with our acronyms and jargon. The one-to-one interviews were invaluable, and she accommodated additional dates to ensure everyone who wanted to contribute had the opportunity."

Elena highlighted the importance of giving staff the time and space to participate, particularly in remote and challenging environments like abattoirs. The process was completed in just three months, despite running through the summer holidays, and the final report was comprehensive and insightful.

"The feedback meeting and report were of exceptional quality. The accreditor knew when to involve me and when to work directly with staff, striking the right balance throughout the process."

Key takeaways and future plans

The report highlighted both successes and areas for improvement. One unexpected insight was around toilet facilities at certain plants, particularly for women in male-dominated environments.

"Some issues came as a surprise, like inadequate toilet facilities. These hadn’t been flagged before, but the report provided a forum for staff to voice these concerns. We've now created an action plan and formed a working group to address them."

The feedback also reaffirmed the value of practices already in place, such as monthly one to one meetings between operations managers and staff.

"We were questioning the time and cost investment of these meetings, but the report confirmed that staff highly value them. This validation has been timely, especially in light of budget pressures."

Advice for other practices

Elena encourages others to approach the accreditation process with an open mind and to engage with the accreditation team early. 

"Have a conversation with the team beforehand to understand if the scheme will suit your workplace. Public health workplaces are incredibly diverse, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. Go in with the goal of genuinely evaluating your workplace, not just aiming for a particular result. The process is invaluable if you truly care about your staff." 

Elena’s experience underscores how Great Workplaces by BVA can provide actionable insights and recognition while fostering a culture of continuous improvement in even the most complex and varied workplaces. 

If you have any queries, get in touch: 020 7908 6320 or [email protected]