Executive Portfolio:
Corporate Services, Estates & Communication
Decision Number:
0103 2019/20
Exempt / Confidential Item:
No
Declarations of Interest Received:
None
Title:
Revised Policies Relating To Family Friendly Provisions and New Policies Relating To Flexible Working, Ordinary Parental Leave and Time Off For Public Duties and Other Purposes
Summary of Decision:
To approve three new HR policies and four revised HR policies.
Proposed Decision:
Approve the revised Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave, Shared Parental Leave and Paternity Leave policies and approve the new Flexible Working Policy, Ordinary Parental Leave Policy and the Policy Relating to Time Off For Public Duties and Other Purposes, for implementation across the Council.
Summary of Reason for Decision:
The revisions provide updated Maternity Leave, Adoption Leave, Shared Parental Leave and Paternity Leave policies to reflect current practice and legislative requirements.
The introduction of new policies relating to Flexible Working, Ordinary Parental Leave and Time Off For Public Duties and Other Purposes also reflects current practice and legislative provisions.
Reason for Decision:
The Council's current maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and paternity leave policies required revision and update to reflect legislative changes with regard to employment law.
The introduction of new policies relating to Flexible Working, Ordinary Parental Leave and Time Off For Public Duties and Other Purposes provides separate policies for topics which are currently contained within the current Flexible Working Arrangements Guide. The development of individual policies allows for the current Flexible Working Arrangements Guide to be dispensed with, given that the contents of that Guide are now contained within individual policy documents. A new Flexi Time Scheme Policy and a new Leave of Absence Policy will also be required and these will be subject to approval via a separate Council decision once those two policies have been finalised and subject to consultation with recognised Trades Unions.
The four revised policies and the three new policies have been subject to Trades Union consultation and there have been no objections to the content as trades union representatives recognise the legislation which exists in relation to these employment matters.
Risks Associated with this Decision:
The Council's current policies require review to ensure they are compliant with current legislative provisions. Failure to agree updated policies and introduce new policies could have a detrimental impact on the Council in the event of any employment tribunal claims.
Measures to Redress Risk:
In adopting all of the revised and new policies the Council will meet its obligations as provided for by both employment legislation and in relevant national and local terms and conditions of employment.
Anti Poverty / Human Rights / Agenda 21 Implications:
None
Attachments:
Please Contact Mellissa Pennington - Ext 3485 for more details.