Purpose

As the Family Leave and Support Policy is a new people policy replacing the previous Maternity Policy, it was appropriate for the Human Resources and Council Tax Committee to approve its adoption in accordance with Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.
The Family Leave and Support Policy set out the current rights and responsibilities of employees in relation to maternity, adoption, paternity, neonatal care, and parental leave. The policy reflected the Council's legal obligations under employment and equality legislation and ensured that staff are supported through key life events.
The policy reflects current best practice and has been developed in collaboration with Human Resources, Unison, and relevant service leads.

Decision

That the Council adopts the Council’s Family Leave and Support Policy (formerly the Maternity Policy), which consolidates and updates various leave and payment arrangements including maternity, adoption, neonatal care, parental, and paternity provisions;
Authorisation for the Assistant Director - People, in consultation with the Head of Paid Service, to make any necessary and consequential amendments to associated people policies and procedures arising from the implementation of the updated policy; and
Authorisation for the Assistant Director - People, in consultation with the Head of Paid Service, to make any further amendments to the policy (and any associated policies) as may be required to ensure compliance with future changes to employment legislation, including those anticipated under the Employment Rights Bill, particularly in relation to family leave and support provisions.

Alternative options considered

The Council has a legal obligation as an employer to comply with current employment legislation. Failure to do so could result in a claim by an employee if they felt they had been treated unlawfully, and a potential employment tribunal claim.