Agenda item

Further to minute 5 of the meeting held on the 14^th June 2018 the Committee considered a report which provided absence data for the cumulative period Qtr2 2018/19 financial year and a summary of actions to support a reduction in the level of sickness absence.  The Cumulative results showed a continuing downward trend compared to Qtr2 2017/18. The People Management Division continued to support and advise Departmental Management Teams, people managers and employees on the Sickness Absence policy and associated procedures and guidance to ensure absence was managed in a timely, consistent and proactive manner. In particular the Committee’s attention was drawn to the imminent launch of the Neyber Financial Assistance Scheme to employees which enabled them to access saving products and loans at competitive rates that they might find difficulty accessing via high street lenders and who might otherwise go to pay day lenders as an alternative. This stemmed from recognition that financial concerns might be a contributor to stress related absence and the scheme was aimed at supporting staff and offering an alternative solution.

Amongst the issues raised during consideration of the report were the following:

·         The Lead Business Partner [HR] agreed to provide a list of those primary schools which had not yet joined the Schools’ Staff Absence Scheme [SSAS] - an alternative means of providing schools with financial cover for replacement staff costs which operated on the principles of mutuality and not for profit;

·         The Assistant Chief Executive [People Management] commented that he had been involved in talks with union representatives regarding initiatives to train and support Managers in dealing with mental health issues amongst staff and that, following discussions with the Wales TUC,  WULF funding would be used to support further work on raising awareness corporately on Mental Health;

·         Reference was made to the Challenge & Review Attendance Forum’, [chaired by the Deputy Leader Cllr. Mair Stephens and attended by Cllr. Giles Morgan, Chair of P&R Committee] which provided challenge and support to Heads of Service to maintain a high profile on attendance management;

·         The Assistant Chief Executive [People Management] reiterated his comments made at the June meeting that where there were continued concerns over the levels of sickness absence the Committee might wish to invite the relevant Head of Service to a meeting to explain the situation and outline any remedial action;

·         A number of comments were made regarding the possible link between the reduction in staff in some areas and the likely stress on remaining staff;

·         It was suggested that where the word ‘invited’ was used in the report it might be more appropriate to use the word ‘required’;

·         The Assistant Chief Executive [People Management] accepted a suggestion that it might be appropriate to compare Carmarthenshire’s performance to similar, largely rural local authorities as opposed to authorities such as Merthyr Tydfil.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

4.1  that the report be received;

4.2 that arrangements be made for a further Member Development Session on Sickness Absence Monitoring in the new year with a view to members being apprised of the developments taking place to help reduce sickness absence.