To provide the audit and governance committee with the key findings of the employee survey conducted in 2015.

It was agreed by the committee that item seven on the agenda, the employee survey be brought forward for discussion.

The chief executive presented the employee survey report for 2015.

The employee survey has been conducted regularly over the last few years. In 2015 a new approach was taken which was meant that the survey was conducted three times during the year to a randomly selected third of the organisation each time. This was known as a pulse survey which enables the organisation to monitor how things were going within the organisation and the ongoing views of staff.

The 50% response rate was not as high as desired and it was accepted that further work was required in respect of colleagues accepting that their views were important.

The key findings from the survey results in comparison to the previous year were highlighted, these were;

·         change for the better

·         change for the worse

·         strengths to build on

·         areas for improvement

With the following points made

It was recognised that there had been a lack of resources in some areas in the past however the authorities continuing aim is to be a good employer and that attracting and retaining of staff remains important.

It was understandable that there was an opinion from staff that the council lacks a sense of direction given the ever changing financial situation that all councils are now having to manage.  The council can do more in terms of communications to staff in terms of developments and changes that have to be managed.

Concern was expressed on the point of bullying and while it was recognised that the manner in which the public sometimes engage cannot be controlled, bullying and harassment from officers and members should not happen.

The chief executive also focussed on actions contained in point eight of the report.

The review of council office accommodation was ongoing with a view to reducing the property portfolio so that resources can be targeted towards provided services rather that maintain empty offices.

Council wide sessions had taken place to engage in staff dialogue and direction.  Staff should be reminded and congratulated in their achievements in what has been and still is in many respects a fluid landscape in terms of local government.

The transition from appraisals to the personal development programme was explained which seeks to confirm individual objectives and clarity for staff. There will be a focus through these assessments of delivering results and the personal impact staff can bring to bear in achieving results.

In response to a members question regarding tackling harassment from members the chief executive explained that the fact that this point has been included in the survey goes some way in demonstrating that the council does take the subject seriously. He confirmed that he had taken the matter up with members and whilst the incidents were low everyone concerned should strive for a zero figure in this respect.

A member queried whether there was any correlation between services that experienced a higher volume of interaction between service users comparing adult wellbeing and economy and corporate and the figures given for harassment. From the responses given it was difficult to understand the underlying issues   within each service delivery area but improved dialogue and communication between staff and managers a better understanding of the issues would emerge. It was also considered that if a service experiences a higher volume of interaction between users this should not automatically translate to a higher experience of harassment or bullying.

 A member requested that in future trend analysis (quoting statement 24 in the report where it could be seen that the three quarterly figures shown  for 2015 were 5%, 5% and 19%) could be included otherwise it was difficult to make any judgement on the reasons for the apparent rise in figures presented. In response to the members point it was agreed that some further analysis would be beneficial.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted