Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration & Community Services and the Head of Organisational Development.

The Corporate Director of Regeneration & Community Services presented the report which provided Members with the opportunity to scrutinise and challenge the sickness absence performance and the proposed actions for improvement for the directorate.

The Corporate Director advised that this was the first report of this nature that had been presented to Committee (each department would be producing a similar report to be presented to their respective Committees) and it was acknowledged that the report was ‘work in progress’ as further work needed to be undertaken with colleagues in Organisational Development to shape and focus the report to ensure that the statistics and information contained therein related to the Regeneration Service only.  It was noted that currently information relating to the Community Services Service had also been included within the report.

The Corporate Director spoke in detail to the report and highlighted points contained therein.  He emphasised that the vast majority of Council employees had excellent attendance levels as data indicated that 2463 employees had attended work every day during the period from April to March 2019 with the Council having an attendance level of 94.3%.  It was the front line service areas that experienced higher levels of absence.

As a Directorate, sickness absenteeism was discussed at every monthly management meeting. An independent review of the top ten absences had been undertaken which had confirmed that managers were adhering to and applying the Attendance Management Policy.

The Corporate Director continued by stating that whilst there was evidence of managerial action in managing sickness the Regeneration Service acknowledged that better use of the iTrent system was required as at present only 16.48% of return to work meetings were recorded on the iTrent system.  It was noted that not every department had access to this system, particularly front line managers and whilst return to work meetings were being held, they could not always necessarily be recorded.  Therefore, work was required to improve this position.

Members were then given the opportunity to raise comments/questions in respect of the report.

Attendance Levels - a Member referred to the fact that the vast majority of Council employees had excellent attendance levels as the data indicated that 2463 employees attended work every day and said that this was to be commended.  He asked whether these members of staff were commended for their excellent attendance levels.

The Corporate Director acknowledged this valid point and agreed that excellent attendance levels should be celebrated and undertook to pursue this matter at both the departmental management meeting and with Corporate Leadership Team.

Chronic Sickness – in reply to question relating to ‘chronic sickness’, the Corporate Director confirmed that this was largely attributed to stress.  It was reported that the Council was currently rolling out mental health training for managers in order to better equip them to have appropriate discussions with individuals.  It was noted that mental health and stress was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6