Chapter 7 - Staff Management Flashcards
Code of conduct - who/when/why applies?
All employees of NZ Police. includes permanent, temp, casual, contractors, consultants etc.
Also applies outside of work hours.
The code provides general guidance and minimum expectations of behaviour.
Misconduct
Behaviour or actions that breach this code of conduct or other police policies. It may result in formal disciplinary action.
- Breaching police policies or procedures
- Treating a person harshly
- Using abusive/offensive language
- Misuse of police internet/email systems
- Using any police database for any
unauthorised/personal purposes - Being absent from work/late without proper reason
- Failure to declare a conflict of interest
- Misuse/mistreatment or not taking care of police property
- Not complying with lawful/reasonable instructions without good/sufficient reason
- Bring police into disrepute through any actions/behaviour.
Serious misconduct
Behaviour or actions that breach this code of conduct or other Police policies and employment agreements and seriously undermine or damage the trust and confidence police has in you. It calls into question if the employment relationship can continue. It may justify dismissal.
- Being convicted/pleading guilty to any offence.
- Corruption/Bribery
- Bullying/Harassment
- Sexual misconduct
- Theft/dishonesty of any kind
- Unauthorised access to/disclosure of any matter/information related to police business, includes NIA.
- Knowingly making a false declaration/statement
- Excessive unjustified violence.
FEO
Any police employee can apply to vary/alter their hours.
Default position is yes. Working together to find a way to make it work.
Only a DC or National Manager can decline an application.
Manager can approve or recommend that it is not supported.
Performance management
Is about seeking improvement through dialogue and providing support to enable the employee to perform satisfactorily.
Performance management process
- 4 steps
Informal discussion
- encourage discussion
- identify underlying causes
- make suggestions as to how issues might be resolved
Performance meeting
- Where performance has not improved
- identify minimum standard of performance and how the current behaviour falls short.
- Discuss with HRM to consider possible options to remedy
Performance improvement plan
- PIP sets requirements and expectations of both parties.
- Employee must agree to it.
Completion of PIP
- standard met - PIP finishes
- performance monitoring may continue on a more informal basis
- ongoing dialogue is encouraged between employee and supervisor
Instigating the disciplinary process for non performance
PIP required standard not achieved.
Consideration to revise the PIP or it may be appropriate for the matter to go directly to the progressive disciplinary process. EPM to be involved.
Disciplinary process
Used to determine whether alleged breaches of our code/policies are substantiated.
Disciplinary process - Initial Assessment
Identify if there is an issue that police needs to address/investigate.
If there is enough info, it may be appropriate to go straight to a disciplinary process.
Most cases can be dealt with by the manager with support from HR. In serious cases, ER can be involved.
Disciplinary process - Categorisation
Determine whether the allegations are a performance matter/potential breach or a criminal matter.
Consideration given to notifying the IPCA if required.
Disciplinary process - Criminal/Employment investigations
Where a matter leads to a criminal investigation and possible misconduct is identified, a separate employment investigation must be commenced with a separate investigator.
Employment matters can be held in abeyance - consideration to be given. National manager PC and National Employee relations manager to be consulted when the employment matters may be recommenced.
Regardless of criminal justice outcome - where appropriate police will under take employment investigations to determine if there is a breach of CoC..
Disciplinary process - Restricted duties, Suspension and Stand Down.
RD/S/SD may be appropriate whilst an employee is under investigation to mitigate risks that may arise.
- Risks to health/safety of employee/others
- Risks that the employee will interfere with the investigation/police operations or disrupt police routines.
- The nature/gravity of the alleged conduct may prejudice the public interest/potentially damage police rep
Disciplinary process - Drafting allegations
Clearly outlining the allegation - fairly informs them of your concerns about their conduct, why police would consider that behaviour unacceptable, enable them to properly respond.
Disciplinary process - Investigation initial steps
Purpose: To establish/consider the facts. Assess whether the employee actions are in breach of CoC.
Do the allegations need to be investigated further? - straight to disciplinary meeting?
In many situations the direct manager will be a suitable investigator. If the matter is serious or of a sexual nature a more senior investigator may be appropriate.
Plan the scope of the investigation - ensures it does not get bigger than it needs to and timeliness is maintained.
Disciplinary process - The investigation
Purpose: To establish/consider the facts. Assess whether the employee actions are in breach of CoC.
The investigator provides unbiased independence.
Establish if there has been a breach and recommend whether it is serious/misconduct.