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Domestic Violence Leave

Time To Take A Stand!

We are calling on Worcestershire County Council to improve the support they provide to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

We are asking them to:

Provide discreet and confidential support to those who seek it
Guarantee job security, including exemption from sickness and performance monitoring if the absence relates to domestic abuse
Grant up to 10 days discretionary leave to allow survivors the time to deal with personal matters during times of trauma
Provide the option for discreet redeployment
Commit to undertake workplace risk assessments, when necessary
Provide timely access to employee assistance support.

In 2016 Worcester City Council passed a motion introducing 10 days paid leave to enable staff experiencing domestic abuse to get the help, services and support that they need. In September 2018 a call for domestic abuse victims working at the County Council to be given ten days paid leave was rejected by the Conservative led Council. How can this be right? Some Councillors voting for the motion in 2016 actually voted against it in 2018. Shame on them. People of Worcestershire this is your County and you should have a say in the decisions that are being made on your behalf. This is your opportunity to get your voice heard.

Please sign our petition at http://chng.it/QF8zhrmdNC

County Council launches TUPE transfer of Children's Services staff to new company

On Monday 3rd June Worcestershire County Council held the first of a raft of staff briefings for the 860 staff in Children & Families Directorate who will be TUPE transfered to the new wholly owned council company, Worcestershire Children First (WCF), on 1st October 2019.

TUPE is an acronym for "Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations" 2006. These regulations govern the transfer of employees from one organisation to another organisation (in this case from the County Council to WCF). More information about TUPE can be found at https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/knowledge/contracts/tupe/.

TUPE protects employess rights, their Terms & Conditions of employment. TUPE ensures that all agreed terms, such as rates of pay, continuous service, holiday allowances, pensions etc are transferred. Any changes proposed by the new employer must be disclosed prior to the transfer and employees (and their unions) must be informed.

UNISON has been assured by Worcestershire County Council that there are no proposed changes. WCF will be 'buying back' employment support services from the County Council and therefore current arrangements such as payroll, pensions and Human Resources will be unaltered.

Any Unison members who are affected by the TUPE transfer can request a one-to-one meeting with management, HR and Unison to discuss any individual issues. If you would like to arrange union support please contact the Branch Office on 01905 26186. The UNISON response to the consultation can be found in the list of downloads further down this page.

Proposed Edge of Care & Residential Services Review

The consultation with Worcestershire County Council staff, launched in January, regarding the closure of most of the residential children's homes operated by the Council, has now drawn to a close. UNISON Worcestershire has been rigorous in its support of our members, attending workplace and members' meetings in order to gather the views and concerns of our members. Whilst welcoming the proposed new Edge of Care Service, UNISON staunchly opposes the closure of residential homes which provide a vital service. The Council propose making over 40 staff redundant, representing a huge loss of skills and expertise in the workforce. UNISON's formal response to the Consultation and the County Council's reply can be located in the list of downloads further down this page. Further updates will be posted when available.

Consultation on Exit Payments Cap - UNISON's Response

Please see below UNISON's response to the recent consultation, along with the UNISON staff Briefing on this issue.