Issue - meetings

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development submitted a report which detailed management statistics for Quarter 2 (July – September 2019).  Officers welcomed questions from Members.

Councillor A Alder expressed concern about the support offered to staff returning to work after a long term absence.  The HR Officer explained the process and the support given and assured Councillor Alder that the Council worked closely with the Occupational Health Service.   The Head of HR and Organisational Development explained the difficulties that the Council had encountered with one particular Occupational Health Service.

Councillor A Alder referred to the Council’s Duty of Care.  She stressed the need for staff to feel supported and hoped that any long term absence would not impact negatively on their long term prospects.    The Head of HR and Organisational Development explained that the HR service could only work within its policies and that it took a cautionary approach in relation to working with the medical professional to ensure that lines were not crossed.

Councillor S Newton commented that she felt that staff were well supported at East Herts. 

In response to a query by the Chairman, the HR Officer explained the processes in place for those staff covering vacancies and those who received an honorarium.  The issue of agency workers, their use in hard to recruit roles (e.g. Planning and Legal) and how the salary differentials could impact on long term staff was debated.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development explained the incentives in place to encourage applications into hard to recruit roles. 

Councillor A Alder queried the impact on staff acting up and sought assurances that they were properly remunerated.  The HR Officer explained that staff covering higher level roles could be paid retrospectively at full or part of the salary, or could receive a responsibility allowance or honorarium.  The HR Officer confirmed that this could be paid with immediate effect and that staff could challenge this process. Councillor A Alder praised the Council’s staff and the need for fairness and consistency adding that staff welfare was at the root of what the Council did.

Councillor S Newton referred to the difficulties in the planning service and the impact of IT on this service and the pressures which might have come about because of a lack of staff continuity and knowledge.   She stressed the need for a mix of competencies.

The Chairman welcomed the report commenting on the number of applications for a Communications Manager and the drop in staff turnover and a reduction in absences. 

Councillor A Alder referred to the numbers attending the violence and aggression event and asked that all Town and Parish Councils be advised of learning and development courses.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development assured the Member that they would be invited depending on what spaces were still available.

The Committee noted the report, as detailed.

RESOLVED - that the Human Resources Management Statistics for Quarter 2 (July – September 2019) be noted.