Issue - meetings

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development submitted a report following consultation on the Personal Development Review (PDR) scheme as a result of issues raised in the Staff Survey, July 2015 and the Here to Help Staff Forum in February 2015.  A summary of the comments raised and consultation feedback was detailed in the report. 

The Head explained that the report not only looked at the ongoing work around PDRs, but also reviewed the work around Here to Help, performance issues and suggestions. 

The Committee Chairman complimented the Head and her team for their ongoing work in raising the profile of PDRs and the improved completion rates which had resulted.

The Head of HR and Organisational Development provided a summary of the key comments and issues raised referring Members to the report for more in depth comments raised by staff.  She explained that Managers did not see any value in bringing back a competency framework but that Members were asked to agree a number of recommendations which were set out in paragraph 4 of the report submitted.  These were supported.

The Committee Chairman welcomed a streamlined approach to PDRs.  He referred to the comment by UNISON that Managers used PDRs as a means of bullying/intimidation.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development stated that UNISON had said that staff had been told that managers were not allowed to use “Exceptional” in the PDR process.  She refuted this and stated that anyone could achieve “Exceptional” and that the question was more about supporting managers, adding that the issue of bullying and intimidation was taken very seriously.

Councillor S Bull raised the issue of bullying and potential personality clashes with a manager and HR’s role in the process.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development gave assurances in terms of mediation and support to both, whether this was provided internally or externally.

In response to a query from Councillor M Stevenson regarding HR intervention when external assistance had been asked for, the Head of HR and Organisational Development stated that if invited to intervene and sit in on meetings, they would.

The Committee noted the report and approved the recommendations referred to in paragraph 4 of the report now submitted.

RESOLVED – that (A) the progress of the Performance Development Review process stage 1, be noted; and

(B)   the recommendations in paragraph 4 of the report now submitted, be approved.