FROM 4 January 2021, police officers on maternity or adoption leave will be entitled to full pay for 26 weeks instead of 18, in a move that South Yorkshire Police Federation says is \u201cbetter for everybody\u201d.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said: \u201cThis is absolutely great news and absolute credit to the National Federation for their involvement in this.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe already had very good conditions in place for maternity leave compared to the private sector, and the fact that we\u2019ve got this extra protection is just better for everybody. It\u2019s better for parents and it\u2019s better for the organisation as well. It\u2019s just a really good, positive piece of work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve said that if officers had any logistical queries they could get in touch with HR or the Federation so that they can explore the finer details of the changes.<\/p>\n
Alex Duncan, Secretary of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said: \u201cThis is a win-win for both society and the forces.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolicing is keen to improve diversity and to be better reflective of society. In order to do this, it\u2019s important not only to attract a more diverse workforce but to retain it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a positive step in enabling those on maternity or adoption leave to be able to better balance having a family with remaining in the police.\u201d<\/p>\n
PFEW has pushed for these extra pay benefits through the Police Consultative Forum (PCF), the voluntary forum for employer and staff representative bodies.<\/p>\n
The new regulations also state that officers will have the option of receiving half pay from weeks 22 to 31 of their maternity or adoption leave, instead of full pay from weeks 22 to 26, if they choose. Any officer who has started their maternity leave after 1 September 2020 will get the new entitlement.<\/p>\n
Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council (NPCC) lead for pay and conditions, said: \u201cChief Constables unanimously endorsed the proposals to increase maternity and adoption entitlements. The proposals were also supported by staff associations, and were endorsed by the Police Remuneration Review Body in their sixth report.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposals are another positive step towards promoting the wellbeing of our officers, and ensuring that policing attracts and retains the best people. They will support the effective delivery of the Police Uplift Programme to recruit an additional 20,000 officers.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n