Agenda

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2020 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The purpose of this report is to update the Employment Committee about the levels of sickness absence across the council and the actions being taken to manage absence and promote employee wellbeing.

RECOMMENDED that Members

(1)  Continue to monitor sickness absence, and ensure appropriate management action is taken to address absenteeism

(2)  Note the wellbeing activities undertaken to support attendance

(3)  Note the additional wellbeing activities specifically in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

(4)  Note the reduction in absence levels across the organisation

Purpose of report

Following on from the Employment Committee held on 22 September, Members requested a further report which outlined what the Council had already done, what existing mechanisms were in place for recognising employees' resilience and hard work during the on-going pandemic period and to outline options for what could be put into place for the future. 

RECOMMENDED that Members

(1)  Note how PCC has already publicly acknowledged the outstanding services and efforts that council officers have made and are continuing to make during the ongoing pandemic. Future email communication from the Leader and the Chief Executive to staff thanking them for their efforts is continued.

(2)  Note what reward and recognition systems are already in place across the whole City Council as contained within Appendix 2.

(3)  Confirm the reward and recognition in relation to efforts made as a result of the pandemic through the arrangement of an awards ceremony when it is safe to do so, or any other method of reward that Members wish to implement.

(4)  Provide an additional day's annual leave to all staff to be taken on either Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve (or at a later date for those rota'd to work on these days) in recognition of the efforts of all staff during the pandemic. 

At Employment Committee on 22 September 2020, Members requested further clarification on the financial impact of becoming an accredited Living Wage employer (previously known as an accredited Foundation Living Wage employer). The purpose of this report is to give Members an update of the work carried out to date.

The report is for noting.