Issue - meetings

The Human Resources Strategic Lead introduced the report which detailed the update of four policies, as part of the ongoing wider policy review. She said that the policies which were used most frequently would be reviewed first, using best practice and input from Unison to make them more user friendly and remove repetition.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that the reviewed policies had already been before the Local Joint Panel and had now come to the Committee for approval. She said that changes had been made to the Sickness Policy to enable earlier support to be given to staff and that the Expenses Policy had been updated in line with HMRC rates.

The Chair thanked the Human Resources Strategic Lead for the report and sought confirmation that the reviewed policies formed part of an ongoing body of work. She also asked how many policies required review.   

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that this was correct, and that all policies were to be reviewed with a full retention schedule. She said that there were approximately 20 policies, with 10 which were used regularly. She reiterated that Human Resources would work alongside Unison to review these before they come before Members. 

Councillor Connolly said that she appreciated the simplification of the policies. She referred to paragraph 6.3 of the Sickness Policy and questioned why a reason and estimated duration of absence needed to be given should it be less than 7 days (thus self-certificated), noting that a staff member may be anxious about the nature of their absence, for example, should they be undergoing fertility treatment.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that this may require review post road testing of the policy, and that there were always exceptions. She said that staff could contact Human Resources for advice and/or request private conversations should they be uncomfortable with their manager.

The Chair asked if managers were trained on how to implement the revised policies.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that sessions with managers would to be arranged, with surgeries offered for tricky cases. She added that flow charts were included in each of the revised policies.

Councillor Swainston said that it was important that the policies were easy to follow and asked how this would be reviewed.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that managers performance would be monitored. She said that most managers followed the processes and should they not this would be escalated to Human Resources and/or the relevant Director.

It was moved by Councillor Connolly and seconded by Councillor Swainston, that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that A) the revised Sickness Absence Management Policy (Appendix 1) be approved; and

(B)   that the revised Grievance Policy (Appendix 2) be approved.

(C)   that the revised Expenses Policy (Appendix 3) be approved; and

(D)   that the revised Appeals Policy (Appendix 4) be approved.