Latest Updates

Subject: Reduction in working week – agenda for change staff Staff covered by Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions working week will reduce from 37 to 36 hours for full-time staff and pro-rata for part-time staff from 1 April 2026 without loss of earnings.  Full details can be found via NHS Circular PCS(AFC)2025/8, which also contains frequently asked questions: Reduction in the working week for Agenda for Change staff in NHS Scotland The purpose of this communication is to advise of actions required to ensure the successful implementation of the reduced working week. Webinars will be arranged in the… >>>

The table below can be used for reference of how hours for a member of staff have changed between the original 37.5 hour working week, and the 36 hour working week. Please reference the latest NHS Circular for the Reduction in the working week for Agenda for Change staff in NHS Scotland for more information. You can also see an exhaustive list of hours if your own working pattern is not listed in the summary table below! 37.5 Hour Contract 37 Hour Contract (2024–2026) 36 Hour Contract (from Apr 2026) Decimal Hours Minutes Decimal Hours Minutes Decimal Hours Minutes 37.5… >>>

Policy Awareness Week was held from Monday 15th September 2025 to Friday 19th September 2025! For those that are unable to attend the sessions during this Policy Awareness Week or the previous Policy Awareness Week held back in March, we have created some short recordings covering the presentations which were delivered, for you to listen back to. Please use the links below to access the recordings: Absence Triggers, RTW Interviews, Phased Returns and Reasonable Adjustments Adoption, Fostering & Kinship Policy Fixed Term Contracts Policy Flexible Working Policy Maternity Policy New Parent Support Policy Parental Leave Policy Reasonable Adjustments Recruitment and… >>>

NHS Circular PCS(AFC)2024/2 confirmed the intention to reduce the full time working week for Agenda for Change staff in Scotland to 36 hours, in line with the commitment made as part of the 2023-24 pay settlement.  It further indicated that the first half hour of that reduction would take effect from 1 April 2024.  PCS(AFC)2025/1 issued on 18 February 2025 advises of the way forward to the reduction of the working week to 36 hours.  Following evaluation of the first phase of the reduction in the working week, it is indicated that delivering the remaining hour in one tranche would… >>>

Further to communications issued in April 2025, advising of a revised approach to the deduction of public holidays for staff that work non-standard shifts as per DL2024(07).  The policy has been revised as it was recognised that the wording was confusing.  The DL has now been superseded by PCS(AFC)2025/6 NHS Scotland annual leave policy for Agenda for Change staff.   This version updates the approach to long shifts on public holidays to ensure that it is in line with paragraph 13.5 of the Agenda for Change Handbook around irregular shifts. It has also been updated to take full account of the… >>>