"I want to do interesting work. I want to do it well. And I don't want my family life to suffer in the process. All this is achievable with a career in the GLSS".
Ailsa joined the Office of the Solicitor to the Scottish Executive (OSSE as was - predecessor of the Scottish Government Legal Directorate) in December 1999 after a private practice traineeship. "I didn't join the office for the flexible working, but over the years I have come to appreciate that a GLSS career is pretty unique in that respect when compared with what's on offer in private practice". Ailsa has worked in a number of areas: housing, mental health and currently food law. She has also had a stint on secondment to the Scottish Parliament - though that was prior to the Parliament moving to its permanent site. "I would have liked to work in the new building".
"I have had the opportunity to do some really interesting work. I now work part-time but that has made no change to the sort of work I do". Ailsa has been involved with instructing primary legislation, drafting secondary legislation and a wide range of advice work. Her current post involves providing advice to the Food Standards Agency and a large part of that work is implementation of European law. "As a student I would never have predicted that I would end up doing such a variety of challenging work. If I had, I would have made more effort with Constitutional law!".
Ailsa has always found the GLSS to be very accommodating of any family crises - and it works both ways. "It is reassuring to have an employer that is understanding if I ever need to take time off (or work at home) when my kids are ill - and in return I do my best to make up any time lost".
The GLSS is a friendly place to work. "I would consider many of my colleagues to also be good friends - and that's a nice position to be in".