Agenda item

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That a report on attendance management be submitted to the 11 July 2013 meeting of the Committee;

(c)        That the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development provide further information to Councillor Patrick Heesom on agency staff figures and to Councillor Arnold Woolley on a discrepancy in the headcount figures. 

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development introduced a report to provide Members with an update for the fourth quarter/whole year 2012/13 on the following areas:-

·        Establishment

·        Headcount

·        Agency

·        Early Retirements (first and third quarter reports only)

·        Turnover

·        Diversity

·        Absence

It was reported that the number of placements for Agency Workers had steadily decreased throughout the period and a table at paragraph 3.04 compared the number of placements for the whole year 2011/12 and 2012/13.  At 31 March 2013 120 placements were active which was a decrease of 40% for the same period in the previous financial year and there was also a decrease of 33% in the number of placements over 12 weeks when compared to the figures for March 2012.  It was reported that a total saving of £307,110.64 had been made for the financial year 2012/13 but it was expected that this would decrease over forthcoming years. 

On the issue of sickness absence the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development explained that the table on page 120 showed the figures for 2008/09 to 2012/13 and included an increase in sickness absence to 11.03 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) days lost per employee for 2012/13.  This had resulted in a red RAG status in the performance data included later in the agenda.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised that she would submit a report on attendance management to the 11 July 2013 meeting of the Committee which would provide details of the interventions in place.  She advised that there were some areas that were performing well but that there were also some areas where the sickness level was higher than expected.  For the fourth quarter 70% of staff had a 100% attendance record which was a slight improvement on the previous quarter however the figure was only 41% for the whole year.  Attendance by directorate had been provided for 2011/12 and 2012/13 along with a breakdown by service area within each of the directorates for the four quarters and whole year 2012/13.  It was important to understand the causes of absence and the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised that additional categories of absence had been implemented to reduce the number of sickness absences classified as ‘other’. 

Councillor Alex Aldridge queried whether the policy allowed employees to take a days holiday in place of a days sickness.  Councillor Peter Curtis said that he could not condone annual leave being used to mask sickness.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development responded that this could mask a particular issue or problem but added that there was a need for flexibility.  Councillor Aldridge said that some individuals displayed patterns of absence on certain days and he felt that flexibility could help in reducing sickness levels.  The Cabinet Member for Corporate Management appreciated the initiative suggested by Councillor Aldridge but said that it may be an opportunity to not undertake management responsibilities and added that there was a need to assess recurring sickness levels. 

Councillor Patrick Heesom queried the costs associated with the 120 agency staff placements as he felt that they appeared to be high.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised she would obtain further information on agency staff placements for Councillor Heesom.  Councillor Clive Carver queried whether relief/school supply staff were classed as agency staff.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development responded that they were not and she provided further information on relief/school supply staff and explained the differences in the figures for headcount and establishment. 

Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed the reduction of the agency staff placements and queried whether the Physiotherapy pilot undertaken in Streetscene had been rolled out across the authority.  He also congratulated the 70% of staff who had achieved 100% attendance for the final quarter of 2012/13.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development explained that a report on the Physiotherapy pilot would be submitted to the 11 July 2013 meeting of the Committee.  The scheme had been successful and there was now a need to evaluate how to roll out the project. 

Councillor Arnold Woolley queried whether a letter or certificate was issued to staff who had 100% attendance.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development responded that this was piloted in the Housing department but that it had not been rolled out consistently across other services.  Councillor Woolley also queried the figures in the report compared to the workforce information data which was available in the Members’ Library as there appeared to be a difference of 195 people.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development agreed to look at the figures and respond to Councillor Woolley. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That a report on attendance management be submitted to the 11 July 2013 meeting of the Committee;

(c)        That the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development provide further information to Councillor Patrick Heesom on agency staff figures and to Councillor Arnold Woolley on a discrepancy in the headcount figures.