Agenda item

The Human Resources Strategic Lead introduced the report which detailed the changes seen in employee health and wellbeing over the past 12 months. She drew Members attention to the key issues within the report, to include the council’s ageing workforce and an increase in serious staff illnesses (which was mostly made up of short-term mental health issues).

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that mental health first aid staff had now attended their 13-week training, and a room was being converted for staff to use as a ‘safe space’ – being furnished with recycled furniture from disused council offices.  

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that a new employee assistance provider was in place, which gave staff a fuller experience, and schemes such as ‘should I stay, or should I go?’ where being developed to help those employees who were contemplating leaving the council. She said that Human Resources understood the issues at East Herts, and that compared to other local authorities the council was in a good position.

The Chair thanked the Human Resources Strategic Lead for the report.

Councillor Swainston said that the report was thorough, and the comparisons within it reassuring. 

Councillor Connolly referred to paragraphs 5.5 and 5.6 of the report and asked how the categories of stress and mental health were defined.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that stress was defined as an employee feeling overwhelmed, and unable to cope day to day, whereas mental health was usually a medical condition.

Councillor Connolly asked if the definition came from the employee.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that it came from the employee, their primary physician or occupational health.

Councillor Willcocks asked if the mental health boot camp mentioned in the report was full time.

The Health and Safety Officer said the 13-week duration was not full time and consisted of 3.5-hour online sessions, with a 1-day meet for participants. He added that the council’s new employee assistance scheme also offered counsellors who could help with all issues, to include money and family pressures. 

Councillor Willcocks asked if there would be a list made available of the mental health first aiders. He noted that in his workplace such staff also wore an easily identifiable lanyard.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that as agreed with Leadership Team, a list would be available to staff, and that communications would be used to promote this. She said that the scheme would be reviewed and may grow in line with local government reform.

Councillor Connolly asked if mental health first aiders would be offered counselling/ debriefings themselves.

The Human Resources Strategic Lead said that Human Resources were consulting with other local authorities about this. She said that larger authorities (such as County Councils) had such specialists, but as East Herts did not options were being explored, such as using occupational health. She added that staff with deep seated issues would not be offered help via a mental health first aider.    

It was moved by Councillor Willcocks and seconded by Councillor Connolly, that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the annual Employee Health and Wellbeing Report 2024/25 including the actions (in section 8.0) planned for 2025/26 be considered; and

(B)   any comments be provided to the Strategic HR Lead.