Agenda item

This report was requested by the Council’s Scrutiny Panel to understand the impact of Covid 19 on women within our workforce. This has been widened throughout to focus on the impact on the workforce as a whole reflecting on differences between male and female staff where possible.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked given the mixed experience of staff working from home whether it was the right decision to remove so much office space at a time of so much uncertainty, in the middle of the pandemic, thereby depriving staff of the opportunity to go back to their previous ways of working even if they wanted to. 

The Director of People & Policy replied that this was slightly outside the remit of the report but said that staff have been able to return to offices when required. She added that some of the 66 staff met as part of this work said there were benefits in terms of saving time on commuting. She said that office use would be kept under review.

Councillor Hardman asked how many members of staff are still waiting for a laptop and what is the timescale for them receiving what they need to do their jobs.

The Director of People & Policy replied that 1,036 new laptops have been issued alongside a significant number of reissued I-pads and laptops. She added that around 900 new laptops were still due to be deployed and that issuing them had slowed down due to the current Omicron wave. She said that they were all expected to be handed out this year.

Councillor Paul May asked if workplace assessments were carried out for staff working at home.

The Director of People & Policy replied that when staff were first asked to work from home all were asked to complete a DSE Self Assessment. She added that within the past month staff have been asked to complete these assessments again to identify any changes in circumstances.

Councillor May asked if the impact on our communities had been assessed due to staff not being in the office and gave Planning enquiries as an example.

The Director of People & Policy replied that the report in this instance is staff focused and that they could look to hold further focus group meetings that might pick up any community issues.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked if the costs to individuals in terms of energy and heating have been addressed.

The Director of People & Policy replied that the Corporate PDS Panel had raised a similar issue and said that there was work to be carried out regarding this.

Councillor Andy Wait referred to section 3 of the report (Council Workforce) and asked if the additional 130 staff within the Council (March 2020 – August 2021) was something to celebrate or did it mean that we were able to do things better or provide extra services.

The Director of People & Policy replied that the bulk of those figures would be staff that have transferred in from the three Care Homes as mentioned in the report. She added that turnover of staff had been relatively constant but not disproportionate given the circumstances.

Kevin Burnett commented that a recommendation within the report suggests having more focus groups. He asked has the Council consulted with mental health specialists in the best ways to overcome this ‘period of trauma’ in people’s lives and establish more systematic ways to support everyone.

The Director of People & Policy replied that Health Assured provide specific support to staff within the Council if required. She added that she has consulted with colleagues on how the Council can become more of a ‘trauma informed’ authority.

Kevin Burnett asked if the Council was giving the hidden poverty which the pandemic exposed the priority it deserves.

The Director of People & Policy replied that the Council has a focus on prevention in terms of poverty and works with colleagues in Public Health on this issue. She added that the Wellbeing Hubs could also have a future role in this area.

Kevin Burnett commented that the report mentions the flexibility that working from home provides, but said that there didn’t appear to be a mention of flexible home-working in the recommendations.

The Director of People & Policy replied that the Council has a Blended Working Charter and as part of that it is deemed that all work should be flexible.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the report and the recommendations to the Corporate Management Team within it.