Issue - meetings

The Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development submitted a report on a revised Grievance Policy.  The Human Resources (HR) Officer provided a summary of the changes which were needed to bring the policy up to date in terms of best practice and statute.  She explained that consultation had been undertaken with UNISON and Leadership Team.

Councillor L Radford sought clarification of the removal of the timeframe with the insertion of wording “without unreasonable delay”.  The HR Officer explained that the policy had been amended in line with ACAS best practice.

Councillor A Alder asked that the colour of the flow chart (showing the informal and formal grievance process) be reviewed as she felt the colour blue against black was difficult to read.

Councillor A Alder sought further information on how many grievances were lodged last year pro rota of staff.  The Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development explained that she did not believe the Council benchmarked the number of grievances lodged against numbers of staff employed, adding there were good informal processes in place to resolve issues at an early stage.  She added that the formal process was available for staff if the informal process had not resolved the grievance. 

The Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development commented that staff needed to feel that there was a route to be heard if their manager was not hearing them.  She undertook to provide the  Members with grievance statistics.

The Panel Chairman commented that the role of UNISON in helping staff resolve grievances was vital, especially at the early stages.  The Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said it was important to capture issues of concern early.  She did not get the impression that there had been an increase in grievances being lodged.

The Panel recommended to Human Resources Committee, approval of the report, as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Interim Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development provide Members with statistics on the number of grievances lodged; and

(B)   the revised Grievance Policy as now submitted, be approved.