Brighton & Hove City Council - Issue - items at meetings - Dignity and Respect at Work Policy including OSC recommendations

(a) Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).

(b) Draft extract of the Cabinet meeting held on 17 June 2010 (copy attached).

RESOLVED –

(1) That the new Dignity and Respect at Work Policy and Procedure be approved.

(2) That the council adopts the core values set out in the report.

(3) That the core values set out in the Policy be incorporated within the council’s management standards and behaviours framework currently being developed as part of the “Creating a Council the City Deserves” transformation programme.

(4) That a network of Dignity and Respect at Work Advisers be established across the council.

(5) That approval be given for a payment of £104 per annum to each Adviser in recognition of the important role they will be fulfilling in addition to their normal day-to-day duties.

(6) That the training of a “pool” of independent investigators to look into complaints be approved.

(7) That the use of external, accredited mediators to maximise the chances of resolving bullying and harassment issues informally be approved.

(8) That the development, in conjunction with the Head of Learning & Development, and subsequent implementation of a corporate learning programme for managers to support the introduction of the new Policy be agreed.

(9) That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive publicly endorse the Policy when it is launched to show that the council is serious about eliminating bullying and harassment from the workplace.

(10) That the impact of the Policy be monitored as detailed in the report.

11.1 The Committee considered a report of the Director of Strategy & Governance concerning the council’s Policy and Procedure for dealing with bullying and harassment at work and seeking approval for the implementation of the new Dignity & Respect at Work Policy and Procedure.

11.2 The Chairman invited Councillor Mitchell, in her capacity as Chairman, to introduce the report of the scrutiny panel accompanying the proposed policy and procedure.

11.3 Councillor Mitchell reported that the panel did not involve itself in the work undertaken by the working group, but allowed Members to gain a clear understanding of the approach and consider the the final draft policy and procedure. The panel had requested to hear from members of staff who had contributed their views and experiences to the project, and they confirmed that a very inclusive approach had been followed. In particular the panel welcomed the creation of Dignity and Respect at Work Advisors and independent investigators to look into complaints. The panel hoped that the option of moving immediately to the formal complaints process would remain and that the Committee would accept the recommendations put forward by the panel.

11.4 The Director of Strategy & Governance confirmed that the formal process would continue to be a first option within the new policy and procedure because there would be instances where the informal mediated approach would not be appropriate.

11.5 Councillor Mears advised that Councillor Elgood, who had been a member of the scrutiny panel, had reported that the proposed policy and procedure had not incorporated all of the issues raised by the panel. She asked Councillor Mitchell to confirm whether the panel had been satisfied with the outcome of the project.

11.6 Councillor Mitchell explained that she was not aware of the issues raised by Councillor Elgood, but suggested that members of the scrutiny panel could be satisfied with the final outcome if the Committee agreed to endorse the their recommendations.

11.7 The Director of Strategy & Governance gave assurances that all the recommendations had been addressed within the policy and procedure that was before the Committee for approval.

11.8 The Assistant Director for Human Resources confirmed that all the recommendations had been agreed in full, except for recommendations 5(a) and 9, which had been agreed in part and addressed in alternative ways.

11.9 Councillor Watkins advised that Councillor Elgood’s concerns were around the emphasis placed transgender issues with the policy and that further explanation was required within it to clarify the reasons behind it.

11.10 The Chairman suggested that, as part of the launch, particular issues could be given greater emphasis and that this could include transgender issues.

11.11 Councillor Mears stated that it seemed clear that all parties where happy with the final policy and procedure.

11.12 Councillor Fallon-Khan explained that the aim of the project had been to ensure that staff would have confidence that, whatever the outcome, they had been treated fairly. He was certain that the proposed policy and procedure would achieve this and he thanked all staff involved and the members of the scrutiny panel.

11.13 Councillor Randall advised that he supported the proposals and agreed that they would give staff confidence in the process. He also welcomed the independent element and emphasis on mediation.

11.14 RESOLVED –