Agenda item

Report of the 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 implementation:

a.    Grievance Policy

b.    Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure

c.    Maternity Leave Policy

d.    Adoption Leave Policy

e.    Parental Leave Policy

f.     Shared Parental Leave Policy

g.    Time off for Dependants

h.    Domestic Abuse Policy

Resolved

(1)  That having given due consideration the following policies be approved for implementation;

a)    Grievance Policy

b)    Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure

c)    Maternity Leave Policy

d)    Adoption Leave Policy

e)    Parental Leave Policy

f)     Shared Parental Leave Policy

g)    Time off for Dependants

h)    Domestic Abuse Policy

The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report to seek approval from the Personnel Committee on proposed changes to eight HR policies: Grievance Policy; Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure; Maternity Leave Policy; Adoption Leave Policy; Parental Leave Policy; Shared Parental Leave Policy; Time off for Dependants; and Domestic Abuse Policy.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, explained that the Policies were part of a rolling programme of updates that aimed to review policies on a 3-year cycle to ensure that they remained compliant and reflected current practices.

Members were advised that the following updates had been made The Grievance Policy now included protection for third party harassment providing clear protection and a strong framework for protection; the Sickness Absence Policy had been updated to include support for Neurodivergent staff, enabling  an inclusive and supportive environment through reasonable adjustments; the Maternity, Adoption and Parental Leave Policies were updated to reflect changes to the EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme; The Domestic Abuse Policy had been updated following details and feedback from the Councils Lived Experiences Group.

No significant changes had been made to the Shared Parental Leave Policy and the Time off for Dependants Policy. 

Resolved

(1)  That, having given due consideration, the following policies be approved for implementation: Grievance Policy; Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure; Maternity Leave Policy; Adoption Leave Policy; Parental Leave Policy; Shared Parental Leave Policy; Time off for Dependants; and Domestic Abuse Policy.