Agenda item

Report of the HR Policy and Strategy Lead. 

The HR Policy and Strategy Lead presented proposals for revised Appeals, Grievance and Performance Improvement policies. The Committee was asked to consider and approve the introduction of revised Grievance and Performance Improvement policies and the introduction of a new Appeal Policy.

Comments and amendments following the meeting of JCC on 1 November 2023 were set out in the report. 

The Committee considered each of the Policies as follows: 

Grievance Policy

The HR Policy and Strategy Lead summarised the proposed changes to the grievance policy as detailed in the HR Policy Amendments Tracker.

It was reported that the Grievance Procedure had not been reviewed since 2017 and consisted of an eight-page master policy and a seven-page appendix governing the overall process to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of each party.  The recommended changes to the policy focused on consolidating the procedure to provide only one right of appeal, with a heightened focus on informal resolution and mediation. 

It was moved by Councillor Jason Wood, seconded by Councillor Prof Chris Harris and unanimously resolved as follows:

“That the Grievance Policy be approved, subject to clarification within the Policy that if a Chief Officer raises a grievance regarding the Chief Executive that this be dealt with separately.” 

Upon being put to the vote the Chair declared the proposition to be unanimously carried. 

Appeals Policy

The Committee was provided with a summary of the proposed Appeals Policy which would consolidate the appeals process into a single document rather than forming a part of multiple, separate policies as had been the case previously.

If approved, the policy would be launched alongside a suite of supporting documents which will include Appeal Hearing Officer guidance on how to conduct a fair appeal hearing, updated template letters, interactive supporting information for employees on what to expect in an appeal hearing and how to draft an effective appeal. 

It was moved by Councillor Prof Chris Harris, seconded by Councillor Sue Penney and unanimously resolved as follows:

“That the Appeals Policy be approved, subject to it being explicit within the Policy that the sanction cannot be increased from the original decision.” 

Upon being put to the vote the Chair declared the proposition to be unanimously carried. 

Performance Improvement Policy

The Committee was introduced to the proposed Performance Improvement Policy which had last been revised in 2013. 

The Performance Improvement Policy (renamed) was consistent with the Performance Conversation Framework; the first stage of which was the Performance Improvement Conversation set out within that framework. The Performance Improvement Conversation (stage 1) carries with it a commitment to a minimum term of performance review (the Performance Review Period) of 3 months. This was consistent with the original policy. 

It was moved by Councillor Prof Chris Harris, seconded by Councillor Jason Wood and resolved as follows. 

“That the Performance Improvement Policy be approved, subject to amendment of paragraph 7.5 of the policy, with the inclusion that either the Chief Officer or the employee may require the attendance of the previous decision maker at the Stage 4 – Case Review.  That this also be added to the FAQs.“ 

Upon being put to the vote the Chair declared the proposition to be unanimously carried. 

Resolved unanimously: -

That the Grievance, Appeals and Performance Improvement policies be approved, subject to the amendments set out above.