Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Local Government and Government Business
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government has today published a Consultation Document “The Public Service Workforce: Consultation on draft guidance and directions which include a Code of Practice on Workforce Matters”.
The principles underpinning the proposed Code, which builds on the existing Code issued in 2003 as guidance under section 19 of the Local Government Act 1999, are those of equality in the workplace. The consultation seeks views on ways in which we can strengthen the existing Code and make it more effective. The aim of the Code is to ensure fair treatment both for public sector staff in the event they are transferred to a third party, for example, as a result of an out-sourcing contract and for staff employed by the service provider to work alongside the transferred workforce. In particular, the Code seeks to ensure employees of the service provider would be employed on terms and conditions no less favourable than staff transferred to the service provider.
The Code also covers pension arrangements and requires the public body awarding the contract to monitor the Code’s implementation by the service provider.
The consultation document can be accessed online.
Consultation responses are sought by 20 December 2013.