Page 22 - WMPF Federation Oct-Nov 2020_Neat

Supporting members

Grievance

processes need

to be more timely

he Federation is calling for the Force Cliff continues: “Grievance cases become
to ensure that it handles grievance even more complicated should the
Tcomplaints in a more timely manner. Professional Standards Department (PSD) be
Cliff Tomkinson, West Midlands Police involved in any element of the case with the
Federation’s personnel and equality lead, grievance often getting ‘stayed’ in the
says he has had a number of concerns about process and resulting in even fewer updates
the grievance processes but timeliness is top on progress. I think in some instances we are
of the list. also missing things which should really be
“We are having cases that are dragging classed as whistleblowing or should be
on far too long but also during the process treated as protected disclosures. Even with
the Force is failing to update officers or the conduct matters linked within the process,
Federation and that just causes untold sometimes an initial assessment of the
stress for those involved,” says Cliff. whole case can allow the grievance or
Force figures show that in the financial elements of the grievance to be dealt with
year from April 2018 to March 2019 51 separately.
grievances were made within the Force. Of “But even if that is not the case, those
those submissions four are still unresolved. involved need to have more information
Within the financial year of April 2019 to about the progress of any investigation.”
March 2020 53 grievances were submitted. In the 2018 to 2019 financial year there
More concerning is that 16 of those are still are still two grievances ‘stayed’ because of
unresolved. PSD involvement. From the 2019 to 2020
But Cliff is also concerned because he Cliff Tomkinson. financial year there are four grievances
believes sometimes grievances are being matter having to go down the formal ‘stayed’ for the same reason.
made by officers because they are left with grievance process. “The Force needs to really take notice of
very little alternative. “With regards to timeliness, I really do these grievances and ensure that processes
He explains: “Officers need to be heard appreciate that some of the issues are down are fairly followed for all and in a timely
and there is a common misconception that to the pressures that the HR team are under. fashion. It is not appropriate to receive a
officers want to progress their issues this However, I am also aware of delays in decision to uphold a grievance after a
way. Active engagement from the Force to responding to HR requests from individuals significantly lengthy delay as this adds even
consider informal resolution or sometimes subject to the grievance. This, in turn, results more resentment to the entire issues raised,”
shifting position on a matter would actually in the officer making the grievance feeling says Cliff.
see the issues being resolved without the undervalued.” grievances being lodged include flexible
The most common issues leading to
“ working applications, supervision, disability
In order to retain the confidence of our
and other matters of discrimination.
But Cliff has also found that there are far

members, the communities we serve and
more legal challenge considerations against
continue to attract good applicants, the Force
being brought to his attention.
the Force beyond the grievance procedure
He believes the Force could ease the
must deal with workplace disputes fairly, pressure it faces due to these challenges and
the grievance procedures by investing in
timely and confidentially. more training for supervisors.
“In order to retain the confidence of our

22 federation October/November 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids

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