Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a revised Family Friendly Policy, which had been reviewed to ensure there was clarity around processes for maternity, adoption, paternity, parental, shared and bereavement leave, all of which were encompassed by the Policy.

It was advised that, when it had considered the Policy at its meeting on 24 September 2020, the Joint Staff Consultative Group had requested that a list of abbreviations be added to the Policy.

The Committee considered the Policy and noted the proposal to update wording in paragraph 7.1.2 to reflect different family structures.It was also agreed to add wording to paragraph 7.2.2 to provide some flexibility in respect of the 28 days’ notice required for changing timing of paternity leave.

Members agreed that the Policy would be benchmarked against other authorities’ family friendly policies and a report on this comparative information would be brought to future Joint Staff Consultative Group and Employment Committee meetings.

RESOLVED that

(i)        the revised Family Friendly Policy, as set out at Annex A to the agenda report, as amended, be adopted; and

(ii)      a report containing benchmarking information be brought to future meetings of the Joint Staff Consultative Group and Employment Committee