Issue - meetings

That the Workforce Information report for quarter two for 2013/14 be noted.         

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development introduced a report to provide Members with an update for the second quarter 2013/14 on the following areas:-

·        Establishment

·        Headcount

·        Agency

·        Turnover

·        Diversity

·        Absence

On the issue of Agency placements, the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development indicated that Members had requested that information on the length of the placements be included in the Workforce Information reports but this had been omitted.  She apologised and advised that the details would be included in future reports and that the information would be sent to Members electronically.  The table in paragraph 3.04 included details of the number of placements for July to September and showed a reduction on the same period in 2012 and a continuing pattern of the number of agency workers used.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development explained there were particular areas where agency placements exceeded 12 weeks and where the use of agency workers was high.  She explained that plans were in place in some service areas to review working patterns, with the intention of making optimum use of the existing workforce, which would align with the implementation of new terms and conditions under Single Status, thereby allowing for significant reductions in the number of agency placements from April 2014.  The number of days lost due to absence in quarter 2 had increased slightly from the comparative quarter in 2012/13 but a number of areas where the absence rates had been consistently high were starting to improve.    There was a slight improvement in the number of employees who had 100% attendance which represented an increase of 1% when compared to the same quarter in 2012/13.  it was agreed that the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development would submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee on the ongoing work being undertaken on improving attendance.   

Councillor Haydn Bateman referred to the figures reported for days lost due to absence and the significant increase in stress/depression related absences and queried how this would be addressed.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that tools, techniques and training were in place to urge managers to intervene with employees as early as possible and to provide proactive support where necessary.  She said that it could be an area to focus on in a follow up report. 

Councillor Arnold Woolley said that where there was a mix of stress spread across domestic, social and work areas, it was important to ensure that the Council did not end up compensating for this and asked if there were any measures in place to guard against it happening.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that this was a multi faceted and complex area and there was a need to focus on managing workplace stress as effectively as possible.   

RESOLVED:

That the Workforce Information report for quarter two for 2013/14 be noted.