Agenda item

Absenteeism

 

To consider the report of the Acting Professional lead –Human Resources Management and Development

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Report of the Acting Professional Lead Human Resources Management and Development

 

Discussion:

·         The Authority was in the top preforming quartile in Wales for absenteeism

·         Different organisations use different data in compiling their statistics and caution was urged when comparing data

·         The Committee were concerned to note that the People Directorate had already reached 96% of the 2016/17 absenteeism rate, Resources directorate, 107% and there were significant increases in absenteeism in Schools

·         Interventions were outlined in the report

·         More detail is required and specific strategies developed.  This would include an analysis of long and short term absences

·         The Committee questioned whether policies in place were the correct ones and what was being done about significant increases in absences across the Council.  It was noted that absenteeism had quadrupled in two years in Adult Social Care.  Initially an in depth analysis will need to take place followed by a plan of action.  HR was not resourced sufficiently to intensively monitor line managers’ actions.  Information would be shared with service areas in order to get the message across and emphasise that sickness absence must be managed.  Costs will also need to be identified.  Further training for managers would be needed. 

·         The Committee was informed that the Joint Director Workforce and Organisational Development would be returning to work with the Health Board and management of the HR service would fall to the Acting Strategic Director, Resources.

·         The Chair and Vice Chair of the Employment Committee had been invited to attend Audit Committee for discussion of this item   The Chair informed Audit Committee that he had met with resistance from the department to engage with the Employment Committee and he requested that the department use the Employment Committee to help deal with this issue.

·         Solutions need to be found and positive thinking encouraged to improve staff morale.  The brunt of cutbacks had been felt at lower levels and it was recognised that staff need to feel valued.

·         It was suggested that good practice could be shared with other organisations such as Dyfed Powys Police, who were also tackling an absenteeism issue, as well as with other authorities which have lower absenteeism rates.

·         A considerable amount of work had been undertaken with regard to organisational culture but there remained more work that could be done.  Children’s Services would be one of the first areas to be tackled to improve leadership and management.  The service were willing to work and liaise with any group or organisation, but constitutional issues would need to be considered

·         The Chair reminded Members that the Audit Committee’s main concern was the cost of absenteeism and he agreed to write to the Portfolio Holder and Acting Strategic Director to express concern at the dramatic increase in absenteeism.  Employment Committee could perhaps establish a working group to consider the issue – the Constitution could be revised if this was necessary.  It was further suggested that the Chair of Employment Committee should attend the Joint Chairs and Vice Chairs Steering Group.

 

County Councillor T Van Rees left the meeting at 12.35.

 

Outcomes:

·         The Chair to write to the Portfolio Holder for HR and Acting Strategic Director, Resources regarding the increase in absenteeism

·         The Chair to pursue the matter of attendance by the Chair of Employment Committee at Joint Chairs and Vice Chairs Steering Group

Supporting documents: