Policy Scope:

This policy affects all police officers and police staff.

Policy Aims and Objectives:

South Yorkshire Police recognises the importance of assisting its staff to achieve and maintain a balance between their work requirements and their home life to the mutual benefit of the individual and the organisation.

A range of procedures covering flexible working arrangements and recognising the needs of individuals to take time away from work for a variety of reasons, have been developed. They are designed to assist supervisors and managers to provide flexible solutions to individual needs within the constraints of the organisation’s needs. However, it is not possible to cover every situation which could arise and where problems can be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, then the procedures are not intended to constrain or restrict the range of suitable working arrangements.

In the event that an application for flexible working is turned down, an appeals procedure is outlined in Flexible Working - Application and Appeal Process D50926.

Through this policy, South Yorkshire Police not only meets but exceeds its obligations under employment legislation on flexible working introduced in the Employment Act 2002.

Associated Procedural Instructions:

This policy is supported by the following procedural instructions:

Adoption Leave - Police Officers D51412

Adoption Leave - Police Staff D51411

Career Break Scheme - Police Officers and Police Staff D50910

Flexible Working - Application and Appeal Process D50926

Flexible Working Arrangements to Accommodate Religious/Cultural Needs – Police Officers and Police Staff D50186

Flexitime - Police Officers and Police Staff D50184

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Other Fertility Treatment D51265

Maternity Provisions - Police Officers D50908

Maternity Provisions - Police Staff D50913a (pre April 2007)

Maternity Provisions - Police Staff D50913b (post April 2007)

Maternity Support Leave - Police Officers and Police Staff D50909

Parental Leave - Police Officers and Police Staff D50931

Part-Time Working - Equal Treatment D50912

Part-Time Working - Police Officers D50922

Part-Time Working/Job Sharing for Police Staff D50185

Special/Compassionate Leave - Police Officers and Police Staff D50907

Time Off for Dependants - Police Officers and Police Staff D51025

Unpaid Leave - Police Officers and Police Staff D50915

Equality Act 2010:

The Act creates a statutory requirement for all Functions and Policies (Including Procedural Instructions) to be analysed for their effect on equality, diversity and human rights, with due regard to the General Duty.

In principle, this document has been assessed for discrimination, which cannot be justified, among other diverse groups.

Human Rights/Discretion:

The purpose of providing policy is to give an indication to staff of the expected course of action. However it is not possible to cater for every possible combination of factors that would justify a departure from stated policy. The Human Rights Act 1998 requires the proper use of discretion at all times and nothing within this policy and associated procedural instructions prohibits the proper use of discretion in appropriate circumstances.

Where action is taken that has the potential to interfere with an individual’s Human Rights, the reasons behind the making of the decision to act in that way should be recorded on the appropriate forms, or where this is not practicable, in pocket books or policy logs.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Exemptions do not apply to this statement of agreed policy under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Audit Review Arrangements:

This policy together with its Equality Analysis will be reviewed every year 3 years

Rights of redress for members of the public:

Anyone who feels that a member of staff has behaved incorrectly or unfairly, or who is dissatisfied with organisational matters, service delivery or other operational policing issues, has the right to make a complaint.

Initial action should be taken in one of the following ways:

• Complain in writing or in person to the Senior Officer at the appropriate police station or to the Chief Constable of the force concerned.

• Visit a local Citizens' Advice Bureau

• Contact a Solicitor

Rights of redress for South Yorkshire Police personnel:

South Yorkshire Police personnel who feel they have grounds for concern in relation to the implementation of policies may, as appropriate:

• Pursue concerns through their line manager.

• Contact a First Contact Advisor.

• Pursue a grievance formally through the South Yorkshire Police Fairness at Work Procedure.

• Seek advice from their staff association or trades union.

• Use procedural instruction D50241 Management of Complaints, in the section entitled Handling Complaints relating to Direction and Control

Start date:

19 January 2004 (amended November 2005)