The report of the Director of HR/OD is now attached.

A report submitted by the Interim Director HROD outlined a number of family friendly leave policies, pay provisions and entitlements offered by the Council to its staff with the aim of supporting parents.  It was proposed that these previously separate policies were combined into a single policy framework with comprehensive guidance to accompany the policy.

It was also proposed that the wording of the criteria for Maternity Support Leave was tightened as concerns had been raised that the current wording was open to exploitation and that assistance was offered to employees who became special guardians by allowing them access to the Maternity Support leave offer.

It was explained that the aim of these proposals was to present a single coherent approach and policy framework that could be used in conjunction with the existing flexible working offer to help employees balance demands of work and childcare.

Decision

The Committee approve combining the current details of the provisions into a single revised Family Friendly Policy Framework and Guidance, including the amendments to Maternity Support leave provisions in order to minimise misuse and provide special guardians with access to Maternity Support leave.

The report of the Director of HR/OD is now attached.

As the meeting was started and then adjourned this item was deferred until the meeting was to resume on Wednesday 25 March 2020.