Decision details

The Committee considered the draft report and recommendations for the Sickness Management Scrutiny Review. Members sought clarification on arrangements for the proposed wellbeing policy staff survey, formal and informal sickness management interviews and the Absence Management service provider (FirstCare).

Officers reported that they were currently reviewing several wellbeing policy staff survey templates. Members were re-assured that the starting point for officers when assessing sickness/absence cases was that they are genuine. There was a trigger point for initiating informal sickness absence interviews. However, the trigger points were not just statistically based and managers were encouraged to exercise discretion. The Council offered a suite of support initiatives including referral to occupational health specialists. Employees had a right of appeal to a third party independent manager after any informal absence interview.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the draft report is noted

2.         That Recommendation 2.1.8 be amended to reflect the fact that the HR team and not Councillor John Mead will be providing an update on the suitability of a monthly wellbeing staff survey template

3.         That the following recommendations be added to the report:

a.         That officers consider amending the existing policy to address the issues raised by officers from Customer Service Centre and Housing Investment detailed at 4.1.14 to 4.1.26 to address the following issues:

(i) Providing flexibility to Managers to use discretion when managing sickness and inconsistencies across the organisation

(ii) That planned medical operations/procedures and accidents be treated differently from other sickness reporting

(iii) That the offer from CSC and Housing Investment be tied in with the option of a wider staff questionnaire/survey at Recommendation 8

(iv) That managers have access to past Return to Work Interviews, sickness data and reasons for informal/formal meetings all in one place

(v) That officers consider clarifying the trigger points between formal and informal interviews