Agenda item

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

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

·        Establishment

·        Headcount

·        Agency

·        Early Retirements

·        Turnover

·        Diversity

·        Absence

It was reported that the number of placements for Agency Workers had increased throughout the first quarter due to a peak in seasonal variations.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised that the total number of hours worked by agency workers was also included which indicated that the overall usage of the temporary workforce had decreased year on year.  On the issue of absence, it was reported that the number of days lost had increased in the first quarter and this was reflected in the table at paragraph 3.11.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development explained that a continued programme of attendance management reporting was ongoing and a report on the interventions being implemented would be submitted to a future meeting of this Committee for consideration.  Sections 3.15 to 3.18 of the report provided details of the absences lost by directorate. 

Following a question from Councillor Haydn Bateman, the Chairman advised that any questions about individual posts or postholders should be discussed with the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development following the meeting. 

Councillor Arnold Woolley referred to the table in paragraph 3.03 and queried whether there was an explanation for the variation in costs.  He also asked whether the number of placements over 12 weeks could be shown as figures rather than as a percentage.  He referred to the reasons for absence reported in paragraph 3.11 which included Stress and asked whether measures were being put in place to ensure that the forthcoming changes did not worsen the situation.  In response, the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that she would provide further information on the average costs and long term agency use following the meeting and would include information on these issues in future meetings.  She said that work was ongoing on supporting employees through the challenging times ahead and that additional training for Managers was being provided.   

Councillor Clive Carver queried why some lines in the tables were blank and raised concern that some areas showed higher absences particularly for the reason ‘other’.  In response, the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that the figures shown against the blank lines were for employees who had not been allocated into a new service area.  She added that the reason ‘other’ had now been removed from the absence forms and more detailed categories had been included which would assist with analysing the underlying causes of absence. The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development confirmed that the figures shown on absence were per employee in each service area and that service heads were developing action plans to address the issue of absence.  The Cabinet Member added that  the use of agency staff was essential but that it was being monitored regularly.

RESOLVED:

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