Issue - meetings
Alternative models of Employee Appeals Sub Committee
Meeting: 24/06/2021 - General Purposes Committee (Item 5)
5 Alternative models of Employee Appeals Sub Committee PDF 586 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Amanda Harcus, Divisional Director, Human Resources and Organisational Development introduced the report and explained that this was a follow up from the report to GPC in February 2021, where there was a proposal to change the make up of the Employee Appeals Sub-Committee. It was noted that this report incorporated feedback and discussion had at that meeting together with feedback from Trade Unions.
Ms Harcus explained that she was seeking Members approval for the recommendations listed in the report, in making amendments to the constitution for moving from a Member panel to an Officer panel supported by a Member.
Ms Harcus explained the purpose for this proposal was to increase the importance of positive performance management so individual officers are fully accountable for their action they take and make in the organisation. That Senior Officers should hear dismissal appeals and have accountability for final decisions and should have to account for themselves in the event a case is to go to an Employment Tribunal. It would also reinforce the role of the Chief Executives responsibility as Head of Paid Services to deal with all employment matters. It was noted in the last 5 years there had been 76 dismissals with 24 appeals, 18 cases had been upheld, 6 cases reinstated and 18 cases ending up in an Employment Tribunal.
In response to questions the following was noted;
· Clarification sought on the respective roles of Members and Officers at the appeal meetings.
· Mixed model with officers and members would give assurances to staff and trade unions that a fair process was being followed.
· Officers were confident as this model progresses, this would improve performance management and employee relations. The updating of HR policies and procedures would also make policies and procedures clearer, with less chance of misinterpretations.
Accordingly, the General Purposes Committee;
RESOLVED
1. The Constitutional arrangement for appeals panel to be amended to refer dismissal appeals to an Officer panel, supported by a Member in an advisory capacity.
2. The selection of the advisory member on the appeals panel is to be chosen from the General Purposes Committee.
3. That amendments to the relevant policies and procedures to reflect the changes to the appeals process for dismissal.
4. To receive a report on the performance of dismissal procedures and the outcome of appeals on an annual basis.