North Lincolnshire Council to consider rewarding staff for good attendance
COUNCIL chiefs are set to consider a plan to reward staff for good attendance in a bid to stem a rising tide of absence.
A seven-point action plan was drawn up after it was discovered sickness absence levels were higher than average at North Lincolnshire Council when compared with neighbouring authorities.
-
FEELING THE STRAIN: An action plan has been drawn up to tackle the higher-than-average sickness absence levels at North Lincolnshire Council.
Last year, just over ten days per employee were lost – the council's target was 9.5 days.
Growing sickness levels among the authority's 7,300 staff are said to weaken the council's capacity to deliver services.
A scrutiny review panel has stressed the reduction of sickness absence is a priority and the target for 2010-11 has been lowered to 9.25 days.
A council spokesman said: "The proposals have not yet been agreed.
"An action plan to tackle sickness absence has been drafted in response to recommendations made by the scrutiny panel in August."
The panel has recommended a series of counter-measures including looking at ways of rewarding good attendance.
Other ideas include:
Establishing a sickness absence panel.
Introduction of a check-list to be used for all absences.
Mandatory refresher training for all managers.
The ideas will be considered by the ruling labour group at a meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday.
Employees, however, have been warned they all have a role to play and they will start to see some changes in the way attendance is managed.
Sickness absence levels will be closely monitored with the expectation there will be an improved performance across the local authority.
Unison, the biggest trade union at North Lincolnshire Council, is negotiating minor amendments to policies and procedures relating to sickness absence.
Mervyn White, secretary of the 2,500-strong branch, said: "The issue of managing sickness absence is a complicated and sensitive one.
"Unison believes the way to improvement lies in better management, positive strategies around alternative employment and earlier intervention.
"This is particularly the case with stress-related absence.
"Unison does not believe there is any single action that is required, but that the full range of support is available to those who need it.
"We are in the process of negotiating minor amendments to the relevant policies and procedures."
Neighbouring North East Lincolnshire Council reported sickness absence levels among its 4,486-strong staff fell from 8.68 days per employee in 2008-09 to 8.54 days in 2009-10.
But the council last year failed to meet its target of 7.5 days.
16 Comments
View all
by Thoades, Scunny
Wednesday, June 09 2010, 7:54PM
“John,
Just to set your mind at rest, I am not Mick Grant or in any way associated with the council, the labour party or any other political or conspiratorial body you may wish to mention.
I read the ST article and felt it was sensationalising a very difficult subject. So I visited the local council web site, found the report and posted it here.
I was dealing with published fact, not creative conspiracy.
I have no other agenda other than hoping that more people are better understanding of my solipsism condition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solipsism) and that you are as understanding of it as other readers on this site clearly are.
for more info read my blogs in full at www.visitscunthorpe.com”
by Socialist Fool, Ashby
Monday, June 07 2010, 12:26PM
“Another window into the twilight world of public sector welfare. The thoades comment is as usual hilarious in its solipsism. Our overmanned, unproductive public sector is strangling the life out of our economy, and still the left dont get it. Either we correct the situation voluntarily, or we carry on until the system collapses under its own debt burden. The choice is ours.”
by jon, crowle
Monday, June 07 2010, 12:16PM
“Being ill is human, there are many reasons why NL staff are ill, one senior manager was of for three months with a broken shoulder from a mountain climbing accident, while others who do not take part in dangers actives cannot be tarred with the same brush on the basis of averages.
Councils have always provided there employees with job security that included sick pay, for which employees paid insurance as part of their total emoluments.
Its pick on the sick and the ill as a diversion from councilors pay and expenses, just as the public know you are Thoades, (Mike Grant)
We now this is a smoke screen for expense not being published
Yes the real problem of public concern is expense and councilors pay
It¿s a bit rich for a cabinet member to come out and attack the Telegraph for what is really a weak description of the gravy train that is North Lincolnshire council councilors are on
Rate payers are even paying for a Mayor of Scunthorpe and the Borough Council has not existed since 1996, abolished over 14 years. Last year over £500,000 taxation with no elected representation
.
John Carney”
by Meg, Barrow
Monday, June 07 2010, 10:40AM
“So not being content with actually having a job - these people are going to be paid twice. Well, that's what it amounts to !!!!!”
by Chris, Barton
Monday, June 07 2010, 10:36AM
“ad, n lincs : Got it in one. The public sector drain this country of resources and needs drastically thinning down. People who are regularly off work sick - if not for a serious illness - should be sacked - but oh dear we can't do that can we? Do it once and make an example of someone - it would soon stop - problem solved.”
by On the Side Line, Scunthorpe
Sunday, June 06 2010, 9:34PM
“Rewarding staff for good attendance - how ridiculous is that - they should be thankful they have a job. What is this bloody country coming to........!”
by Thoades, Scunthorpe
Sunday, June 06 2010, 5:06PM
“From what I can tell Item 17 on this agenda is what all the fuss is about..
http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/NorthLincs/CouncilandDemocracy/decisionmaking/DecisionsWhichAffectYou/CurrentDecisions/FullCabinet9June2010.htm
It contains a 16 point plan of which point 14 reads
"That the Council Management Team investigates the possibilities of praising and rewarding good attendance and showing employees they are valued"
The ST wrongly list the other action points in the report as being "Other Ideas" which they clearly are not as they form part of the package of recommendations to be adopted / discussed at cabinet.
Little is made of point 11 ensuring trade union involvement with any changes to procedures and item 13 recommending the early involvement of Occupational Health.
Come on ST, I know this sells papers but don't you think its a bit sensational?”
by ad, n lincs
Sunday, June 06 2010, 4:51PM
“The whole public sector is rife with these little anomalies that would never be allowed in the private sector and they still moan more than anyone else too.
These idiots needs to get a grip”
by Norman, at home
Sunday, June 06 2010, 1:10PM
“Why not reward good attendance by letting them keep their job. Those who have poor attendance with good reason (sickness certified by a doctor etc) should be dealt with.”
by disgusted, scunthorpe
Saturday, June 05 2010, 7:24PM
“OMG have nlc lost the plot, people should be punished for constantly throwing sickies not rewarded for not taking them. Staff in the NHS are also guilty of constantly taking time off sick and getting away with it so are the going to be rewarded to by the NHS”