Confusion Over Probation Service Policies and Procedures

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Conference
2022 Police & Justice Service Group Conference
Date
14 June 2022
Decision
Carried

Conference notes that:

1)Feedback from UNISON workplace representatives is that there is increasing confusion within the ranks of Probation Service middle managers regarding the use of appropriate HR policies when dealing with UNISON member issues;

2)At present, it would appear that the use of either Probation Service or wider HMPPS policies is a matter of happenstance;

3)The Probation Service EQUIP system makes no clear distinction between HMPPS and Probation Service policies, leading to increased confusion for Probation Service managers. Trigger points for sickness absence and the potential for compensation payments to those dismissed on the grounds of medical inefficiency, for example, differ between HMPPS and Probation Service and so, the selection of which policy is used in formal HR processes can have a significant impact on UNISON members.

Conference therefore calls upon the Service Group Executive to work with the Probation Service Sector Committee in order to seek to encourage clarity from the Probation Service /HMPPS in relation to the policies used in formal HR Processes.