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.

Content

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.