Agenda item

-       Scene Setting/Consideration of relevant data and documentation by HR Manager

-       Approval of Project Plan and Timetable

The Human Resources and Organisational Development Manager (the HR and OD Manager) presented a scene setting report that outlined the approach to Health and Wellbeing within the Council. 

The Committee heard a summary of the Action Plan Aims contained within the Health and Wellbeing framework, such as to create a healthy working environment, to develop a supportive workplace culture, and to encourage employee engagement in healthy lifestyles. 

The Officer detailed some of the initiatives that had supported the Action Plan, such as a cycle to work scheme, free flu vaccinations, employee celebration awards and walk events.         

Members noted that the Council’s Assistance Programme provided support to employees and their relatives.  This support included legal advice and counselling.  The HR and OD Manager stated that information about services the Council offered to employees was found in payslips, on posters, and on the extranet.   The Committee was informed that AXA provided the service, and the Officer would liaise with the Overview and Scrutiny Manager so that Members could be informed of the exact fee to the Council.  It was stated that the initial take up from staff was low, however it had improved as employees had become more aware of the support available.

The Committee enquired about mental health champions, and how the Authority was helping staff who were experiencing mental ill health.  The Officer informed Members that Managers and Service Line Managers had attended training courses that demonstrated a range of tools and techniques in order to support staff.  The Council was also looking to organise and implement more specific mental health training in the next six months.  The Committee felt that wider employee awareness would be beneficial, and enquired about possible training for Councillors. 

The Officer informed Members about the support available to staff who were experiencing mental ill health, such as counselling sessions, and referral to the Council’s occupational health provider.  Members noted that if it was the appropriate treatment the Authority paid for up to six counselling sessions and this was organised either through the occupational health provider or Derbyshire County Council.  The HR and OD Manager pledged to provide the Committee with the figures on how many employees had taken up this support.  The Committee discussed the increasing pressures on GP practices, and the difficulties in obtaining an appointment, especially in mental health services.

Members discussed the benefits to the Organisation of healthy and happy staff, and the Officer commented that the feedback that had been given on support available had been good.  The Committee heard that it was crucial the relationship between manager and employee was good, which was why regular appraisals and one to one meetings were encouraged. 

The HR and OD Manager discussed sickness absence within the Authority.  The Committee heard that overall there had been 47 long terms sickness absences in 2018/19, which had decreased from 50 in 2017/18.  The Officer pledged to liaise with the Overview and Scrutiny Manager and provide the national average of sickness absence when those figures were published, so that they could be presented to the Committee.  Members noted that 47 employees had taken up the offer of a free flu vaccination. 

The Committee heard that there was a dedicated team in HR that specifically looked at organisational development. 

Following the scene setting report Members gave consideration to the draft Project Plan and Timetable for the Scrutiny review of Health and Wellbeing in the workplace.  The Chair, alongside Members of the Scrutiny Committee, agreed that there should be a structured approach to the visit to talk with staff at the Mill Lane offices and that this would be held during the scheduled meeting of the Committee that day. 

RESOLVED –

(1)   That the scene setting report be noted.

(2)   That the Project Plan and Timetable be approved.