Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Human Resources

Purpose of report

To seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to existing HR policies.

Recommendations

The Personnel Committee resolves:

1.1     To review and approve the following policies for adoption:

a.     Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy

b.     Induction Policy

Resolved    

(1)        That, having given due consideration, the Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy be approved for implementation.

(2)        That, having given due consideration, subject to the inclusion of provisions for any workplace adjustments or accommodations to be agreed with a new starter as part of their induction, the Induction Policy  be approved for implementation.

The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to two HR policies: Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy and Induction Policy. 

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Councillor Brant, explained that the Induction Policy had been reviewed and updated following feedback from new starters to ensure that, whilst there would be individual service requirements by way of induction, corporate information provided to new starters would be standardised, and that the reworked process would provide clarity to managers on the requirements within induction. The Neonatal Policy was a new policy brought forward following new legislation in April 2025 to support employees whose newborn child required neonatal care following birth.

In response to a suggestion to include workplace adjustments and accommodations for new starters being discussed and agreed as part of the onboarding and induction process in the Induction Policy, the Assistant Director Human Resources agreed that revisions to the policy would be made to include these suggestions.

Resolved    

(1)      That, having given due consideration, the Neonatal Leave and Pay Policy be approved for implementation.

(2)      That, having given due consideration, subject to the inclusion of provisions for any workplace adjustments or accommodations to be agreed with a new starter as part of their induction, the Induction Policy be approved for implementation.