Cheshire Constabulary Force Policy Managing Staff Efficiency Policy Reference Number: 51/07 At the time of ratifying this policy, the Author(s) and Policy Owner were satisfied that this document complied with relevant legislation and Force requirements. Sign and date Christine Barton (Director HR) (Author(s)) Brian Simmons (Director Business Services (Policy Owner) Policy Review Date: August 2008 Version NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 1
Policy Index ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION: - move the cursor over the page number in the index or blue underlined text until a hand appears. Click the left mouse button once and it will jump to the specified part of the document. 1 Policy Aim... 3 2 Associated Procedures... 3 3 Responsibilities... 4 4 Supporting Statements... 4 5 Policy Publication... 5 6 Policy Review... 5 Version NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 2
Policy Aims 1.1 Cheshire Constabulary is committed to creating working practices that ensure that all members of staff are treated fairly and equitably where action needs to be taken to manage efficiency. 1.2 The policy and associated procedures aim to introduce good employment practice by providing positive guidance that will enable staff to manage and understand the processes involved in managing staff efficiency, especially in relation to performance, efficiency and attendance. Associated Procedures 2.1 The Managing Staff Efficiency policy incorporates the following procedures: - 2.1.1 Managing Attendance (all staff) to ensure staff attend work on a regular and reliable basis and are properly supported and valued by caring managers so that Cheshire Constabulary has minimum levels of sickness absence. 2.1.2 Managing Performance (Police Staff) To ensure the force is committed to the consistent application of a fair and effective managing performance procedure which will help to minimise disagreements about disciplinary matters and reduce the need for dismissals. In all instances, the principals of fairness, reasonableness, and consistency are considered to be of the utmost importance. This procedure covers instances of discipline, capability and probationary periods for members of police staff. 2.1.3 Sickness extensions to pay - To ensure the force maintains a procedure to review, on an individual basis, an extension of pay during periods of sickness longer than those described in the pay and benefits package. 2.1.4 Probationer Under performance (Police Officers) - To ensure Cheshire Constabulary is committed to delivering improved police performance and greater public reassurance. In order to achieve this main objective we are committed to the development of our probationer constables to ensure that they are: Physically and mentally fit to perform the duties of the office, and Likely to become an efficient and well conducted constable 2.1.5 Managing Unsatisfactory Performance The Police (Efficiency) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 - The primary aim of the procedure is to improve Police Officer attendance within the force. It is envisaged that supportive action will in most cases achieve the desired effect of improving and maintaining an officer s attendance to an acceptable level. The procedure is also there to assist Managers in deciding when supportive action is not enough, how and when to use the formal procedures in the Police (Efficiency) Regulations 1999 (as amended) to manage unsatisfactory attendance of police officers. 2.1.6 In addition to these procedures there are also a number of documents contained within the Professional standards policy which should also be considered. These Version NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 3
include the Service Confidence procedure and Post Misconduct Action Plan procedure. Responsibilities 3.1 It is the responsibility of the Human Resources Department, in conjunction with the Professional Standards Department, to ensure that the procedures that are contained within this policy are up to date and reflect current legislation and also best practice. 3.2 The Human Resources Department will be responsible for coordinating a wide range of employment monitoring statistics to ensure that staff, from all groups, have equal access to, and outcomes from, recruitment, management, career development, support and retention of staff. Supporting Statements 4.1 The Cheshire Constabulary is committed to providing the public of Cheshire, Halton and Warrington, with a first class ethical service using integrity to treat everyone fairly and to value everyone regardless of ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability, age or gender. This approach is underpinned by the legal requirements set out in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the Sexual Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equality Act 2006. This policy relates to the following procedures, each of which has been assessed using the Race and Diversity Template within the procedure template.. Procedure Title Race and Diversity Priority H / M / L Date Next Review Due Managing Attendance Medium Overdue Sickness Extensions to pay Medium Dec 08 Probationer Under Performance Medium Jan 06 (currently under review) Managing Performance High April 07 (currently under review) High Nov 07 Managing Unsatisfactory Performance The Police (Efficiency) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 4.2 The procedures contained within this policy have been assessed in accordance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and have seen to be legal, necessary, proportionate and justified. Version NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 4
4.3 The procedures within this policy have been assessed for health and safety implications and approved by the Force Health and Safety department. 4.4 There are no Data Protection implications associated with this policy, the procedures contained within it have all been assessed in accordance with the Data Protection Act. 4.5 There are no Freedom of Information implications with this policy, the procedures contained within it have all been assessed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Policy Publication 5.1 This policy and associated procedures will be published internally on the Force Information Centre database and on Looking Glass. 5.2 This policy and associated procedures will be published externally in accordance with Cheshire Police Publication Scheme. Policy Review 6.1 The policy will be reviewed 12 months after the date when it is formally ratified, unless an associated procedure is added or amended. Version NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 5