Compulsory redundancy will not be enforced at council

ASSURANCES have been given that no compulsory redundancies will be enforced when Dumfries and Galloway Council are redeploying staff.

The local authority – the region’s biggest employer with around 6500 staff – has a framework for moving employees from one role to another, often because of organisational change, health reasons or performance capability.

Employees on redeployment are offered opportunities when they are available, a skills assessment is undertaken and staff are supported to secure alternative employment.

The council’s HR team has been reviewing the redeployment policy and included wording to the effect that redundancy could occasionally be implemented as a “last resort”.

A report was tabled on the matter recently at the council’s enabling and customer services committee.

It reads: “Whilst this policy demonstrates a clear intent, expectation, and strengthens the council’s redeployment offer compared to existing arrangements, where a reasonable period has elapsed, and of very last resort, it may be in the interests of both parties to conclude employment and provide appropriate compensation to the employee.”

However, the potential for compulsory redundancies sparked a strong reaction from councillors.

Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson, leader of the Labour Group, said: “The Labour Group will not be supporting this redeployment policy.

“We highlighted compulsory redundancy back at the budget setting meeting in February where we were assured that no such policy would be coming forward.

“However, here we are – and it’s doesn’t matter which way you dress this up – if it is redundancy as last resort and staff aren’t getting a choice, then it is compulsory redundancy.”

With support and input from council leader Stephen Thompson, Councillor Wilson tabled a motion for the redeployment policy being approved – but with the “redundancy as a last resort” element removed.

Lochar Councillor Ivor Hyslop disagreed and put forward an amendment calling for the council to stick with its revised redeployment policy.

He said: “I don’t think it’s a safe decision we are making because we are taking a decision that doesn’t give us the full facts.

“There is a necessary point here where if we wish to develop our staff to allow them to go into other areas we need to take the hard decisions as well.”

The motion was carried 10-8 in the vote, confirming that the redeployment policy will not include any redundancies.