AGENDA ITEM NO. 11
INFORMATION REPORT – NOT FOR DISCUSSION
REPORT TO: Corporate Governance and Policy Scrutiny Committee
REPORT OF:Chief Human Resources Officer
REPORT NO:CHRO/25/10S
DATE:1 December 2010
CONTACT OFFICER:Chief Human Resources Officer
SUBJECT:Human Resources Monitoring
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
This is the Quarter2report for 2010/11which provides an update for the Corporate Governance and Policy Scrutiny Committee on the following Human Resources monitoring information:
- Numbers of staff employed
- New jobs created
- Sickness absence levels
- Disciplinary Appeals
- Accidents at work
The information is presented in accordance with agreements reached with the Committee with regard to the frequency of reporting as determined in February 2005, and with regard to the format of reporting as determined in September 2007, April 2008 and September 2009.
INFORMATION
For 2010/11, it has been agreed by Corporate Governance and Policy Scrutiny Committee that the Chief Human Resources Officer will continueto present quarterly HR monitoring statistics in an information report to the Committee. Should particular concerns be identified during the year, the Chief Human Resources Officer will bring these to the attention of the Scrutiny Facilitator at the earliest opportunity so that full reports and / or attendance of relevant officers can be commissioned as required.
From August 2008 Human Resources monitoring information has been made available on theHumanResources Intranet pages. This information is updated for each Department monthlygo to
At the end of quarter 2 the information indicates:
- A furtherdecrease (1.4%) in the number of FTE staff employed. This is due to the number of leavers whose posts have been held vacant or deleted from their Department structures.
- There have been no new jobs created July2010to Sept 2010.The total for the current year is 7 compared to 18 for the last financial year.
- A slight increase in the days lost to sickness absencefor all staff from 4.55%in the last financial year, up to4.59%for the period Oct 09 – Sept 10.
- The number of days lost to sickness absence is greatest for staff in the Social Care and Learning & AchievementDepartments, and fewest for those inPlanning Department.
- As requested by Members, Table 5 shows a summary of Disciplinary Appeals for the period June 07 to Sept 10.
- The overall number of accidents at work forQtr 2isreported as 46, this shows a slight drop from the quarterly average(53) for the last financial year. A total of 213 were recorded for the last financial year, 31 of which were reportable.
Appendix 1 shows a summary of the number of accidents leading to absences of 3 days or more. All of these were investigated and measures put in place to limit the same possibility occurring.
More detail on the monitoring statistics is provided in the tables attached.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
None.
WEBSITE INFORMATION
None.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND POLICY SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
Index of HR Monitoring Tables
Table 1Numbers Employed - shows the number of full time equivalent (FTE) staff employed by each Department.
Table 2New Jobs- this gives the number of new permanent and temporary jobs created between April2010– September 2010together with the proportion externally funded, compared with the same period last year. All new jobs are approved by the relevant Chief Officers.
Table 3Sickness AbsenceStatistics - shows the percentage of days lost to sickness absence for staff in the 12 month period October 2009 – September 2010, split by % lost to periods of absence under 7 days, 8– 19 days and long term sickness (defined as 20+ days).
Figures are also provided to show how this period compares to rates in the last financial year.
Table 4Disciplinary Appeals – Panel appeal statisticsJune 2007- September 2010
Table 5Accidents to Employees – shows the number of accidents recorded by Departments for the relevant quarters between April 10 – September 2010 compared to the last financial year.
Appendix 1Accidents to Employees – shows a summary of the number of accidents leading to absences of 3 days or more. All of these were investigated and measures put in place to limit the same possibility occurring.
TABLE 1
SUBJECT:NUMBERS EMPLOYED (Full Time Equivalent)
Department
/ April 09 – March 10 / April 10 – June 10Qt 1 / July 10 – Sept 10
Qt2 / Significant Movement
(< or > 5%) / Significant Movement
(< or > 3%)
FTE
(to nearest
whole no) / FTE
(to nearest
whole no) / FTE
(to nearest
whole no)
Chief Executive’s /Strategic Directors / 10 / 9 / 9
Economic Development / 122 / 124 / 122
Environment / 354 / 356 / 370 /
Finance & Performance / 159 / 160 / 159
Housing
Public Protection / 480 / 477 / 475
Human Resources / 65 / 59 / 56
Information Systems / 77 / 77 / 75
Legal & Democratic
Services / 74 / 76 / 74
Leisure, Libraries & Culture / 207 / 205 / 204
Planning / 56 / 54 / 53
CYP:
Learning & Achievement
Prevention & InclusionSafeguarding
Support / 2530 / 2539 / 2491
Social Care** / 731 / 728 / 733
Transportation & Asset Management / 212 / 180 / 153 / /
5087 / 5044 / 4974
DEFINITION:Average number of full time equivalent (FTE) staff employed for the period July 2010–Sept 2010 compared tothe financial year 2009-10 figures.
** FTEs in Adult Social Care based on contracted hours as recorded in the main HR information system, (CPIS). Note: within this department, workers often work different hours to those officially contracted, as such the FTE count does not necessarily reflect the resources required to meet workloads.
TABLE 2
SUBJECT: NEW JOBS
Last financial year /This financial year
No of new jobs
April 09 March 10
/ of which /No of new jobs
April 10Sept 10
/of which
No
/Externally Funded
/Temp
/Both
/No
/Externally Funded
/Temp
/Both
Chief Executive’s – Strategic Directors / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0Economic Development / 3 / 1 / 2 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Environment / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0
Finance & Performance / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Housing
Public Protection / 6 / 3 / 3 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0
Information Systems / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Legal & Democratic Services / 2 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Leisure, Libraries & Culture / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Human Resources / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Planning / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Learning & Achievement / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Prevention & Inclusion / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Safeguarding & Support / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1
Social Care / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Transportation & Asset Management / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0
18 / 4 / 9 / 0 / 7 / 4 / 7 / 4
DEFINITION: This gives the number of new permanent and temporary jobs created between April10–September10, compared with the last financial year, and shows the proportion which are externally funded.
All new jobs are approved by the relevant Chief Officer.
TABLE 3
SICKNESS ABSENCE STATISTICS - 1 OCTOBER 2009 - 30 SEPTEMBER 2010ALL STAFF - (228 Potential Working Days per year/195 for school based staff)
Department / No. of Staff / Possible No. of Days Worked / Duration of Sickness Absence / % Figure forOct 2009 - Sept 2010 / % Figure for last financial year April 2009 - March 2010
0 - 7 days / 8 - 20 days / 20+ days (Long Term)
% / % / % / % / %
Chief Executive's Strategic Directors / 9.3 / 2,148 / 1.05 / 1.16 / 0.00 / 2.21 / 1.08
Economic Development / 123.0 / 28,361 / 1.28 / 1.12 / 1.96 / 4.36 / 4.74
Environment / 355.3 / 81,016 / 1.41 / 1.06 / 3.27 / 5.74 / 5.69
Finance & Performance / 159.5 / 36,366 / 1.33 / 0.37 / 0.84 / 2.54 / 3.02
Housing & Public Protection / 483.6 / 110,267 / 1.75 / 0.79 / 2.88 / 5.42 / 5.26
Human Resources / 61.0 / 13,908 / 1.68 / 0.81 / 0.47 / 2.96 / 3.13
Information Systems / 76.7 / 17,181 / 1.98 / 0.37 / 0.52 / 2.87 / 4.31
Learning & Achievement / 279.2 / 63,650 / 1.31 / 1.95 / 2.99 / 6.25 / 6.43
L & Ach - Teachers / 988.9 / 192,840 / 1.20 / 0.76 / 0.84 / 2.80 / 2.75
L & Ach - Other School Based Staff / 863.2 / 168,318 / 1.44 / 1.11 / 0.78 / 3.33 / 3.30
Legal & Democratic Services / 74.5 / 17,002 / 1.30 / 0.76 / 1.29 / 3.35 / 3.22
Leisure, Libraries & Culture / 207.1 / 47,215 / 1.18 / 1.04 / 0.71 / 2.93 / 2.88
Planning / 53.7 / 12,236 / 1.39 / 0.46 / 0.16 / 2.01 / 2.84
Prevention & Inclusion / 251.2 / 57,266 / 0.89 / 0.98 / 0.38 / 2.25 / 1.61
Safeguarding & Support / 145.2 / 33,098 / 1.82 / 2.10 / 2.08 / 5.99 / 6.78
Social Care / 731.0 / 166,668 / 1.91 / 2.54 / 3.64 / 8.08 / 8.41
Transportation & Asset Management / 190.0 / 43,301 / 1.35 / 0.61 / 0.50 / 2.46 / 2.86
TOTAL / 5,052.4 / 1,090,841 / 1.44 / 1.38 / 1.77 / 4.59 / 4.55
Long term sickness is designated as sickness which is continuous for more than 20 working days and/or can be traced to an underlying medical condition
The National Assembly for Wales Core Indicator (2009/10) equates to 4.79%.WAG indicators demonstrate that Wrexham had the third lowest sickness absence rates of all reporting Welsh Authorities for the corresponding period April 09 – March 10.
TABLE 4
SUBJECT:DISCIPLINARY APPEALS - PANEL STATISTICS
NUMBER OF APPEAL PANELS DURING PERIODJUNE 07 – SEPTEMBER 10 / NUMBER UPHELD / NUMBER OVERTURNED / NUMBER OF PANELS ARRANGED THEN RESCHEDULED / NUMBER OF PANELS CANCELLED BEFORE THE DAY / NUMBER OF PANELS WITHDRAWN ON THE DAY
19.06.07 /
09.07.07 /
29.08.07 /
10.01.08 /
31.03.08 /
02.04.08 /
21.08.08 /
18.09.08 /
07.11.08 /
26.11.08 /
15.12.08 /
21.01.09 /
02.02.09 /
05.03.09 /
10.03.09 /
08.04.09 /
16.04.09 /
27.04.09 /
12.05.09 /
19.05.09 /
17.06.09 /
03.08.09 /
13.08.09 /
20.08.09 /
02.09.09 /
09.10.09 /
23.10.09 /
11.11.09 /
20.11.09 /
9.12.09 /
11.03.10 /
15.03.10 /
22.03.10 / Panel focussed on outcomes sought be employees rather than whether to uphold grievance appeal
11.06.10 /
28.06.10 /
13.7.10 /
5.8.10 /
36 / 15 / 4 / 9 / 4 / 4
EXTERNAL COMPARISON: N/A
TABLE 5
SUBJECT:ACCIDENTS TO EMPLOYEES
Last FY / Last FY / 2010/11 Q1 / 2010/11 Q2Department
/ April 09 –March 10 / Quarterly average / April 10 -
June 10 / July 10 - Sept 10
Chief Executive’s - Strategic Directors / 2 / 0.5 / 0 / 0
Economic Development / 3 / 0.75 / 0 / 1
Environment / 55 / 13.75 / 13 / 14
Finance & Performance / 1 / 0.25 / 1 / 1
Housing &
Public Protection / 20 / 5 / 6 / 1Information Systems / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Legal & Democratic Services / 3 / 0.75 / 1 / 0
Leisure, Libraries & Culture / 8 / 2 / 2 / 3
Human Resources / 1 / 0.25 / 0 / 0
Planning / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1
CYP:
Learning & Achievement
Prevention & InclusionSafeguarding & Support / 71 / 17.75 / 17 / 15
Social Care / 41 / 10.25 / 6 / 8
Transportation & Asset Management / 8 / 2 / 0 / 1
OVERALL / 213 / 53.25 / 47 / 46
DEFINITION: These are the figures for Quarter 2, 2010/11 compared with Q1 and the financial year 2009/10. Levels are greatest where there are large numbers of manual occupations i.e. Environment, CYP in occupational groups such as catering, cleaning and caretaking. Quarter 2figures indicate that accidents leading to absences of three days or more were attributed to 4cases (see Appendix 1 attached). All of these were investigated and measures put in place to limit the same possibility occurring.
EXTERNAL COMPARISON: N/A
Reportable Accidents to Employees 2010-2011
Q / Date of incident / Department / Job / Details of incident and follow up actionsQ1 / 05/04/2010 / Housing& Public Protection
(Housing Repairs) Plumber / The operative removed a bath from upstairs bathroom and proceeded to carry it down the stairs. This resulted in the operative twisting their back. The injury sustained developed into a problem after 2 days and the employee went off work for over 3 days with back pains.
Action – An investigation into the incident revealed the safe working procedure for the removal of bath was not followed by the employee. The method of manual handling has been developed and training given to employees. Further training and reminders will be given to employees to ensure they are know of and are following safe working procedures.
Q1 / 13/04/2010 / Environment
Street Scene Operative / The operative was struck on the right shoulder by a wheelie bin. The bin was being unloaded into the refuse vehicle and as it returned from being tipped by the automated arms it struck the employee. The employee was off work for over 3 days as a result of their injury.
Action – the investigation found the employee was struck by the wheelie bin as it returned from the emptying cycle. The bin did not come off the lifts (as they sometime can) it appears the operative was positioned incorrectly for the task. The training and instruction given to the operatives in relation to this type of equipment details the safe positioning of personnel whilst emptying wheelie bins using the vehicle mounted bin lifts.
Q1 / 21/06/2010 / Prevention & Inclusion
Youth Service – Bush- Craft Instructor / The injured employee works in outdoor education as a ‘Bush craft’ Instructor, The incident occurred whilst working in the woods with a volunteer group. The employee fell to the ground whilst trying to prevent a volunteer from causing a disturbance in the group. The fall resulted in the employee sustaining a twisted ankle when the other person involved landed on top of him. This caused 3 fractures to the employees’ ankle.
Action the incident is under investigation to look at the controls in place to prevent re-occurrence of the situation that required the instructor to intervene when a volunteer caused a disturbance in the group.
Q2 / 10/07/2010 / Housing & Public Protection
(Housing Repairs)
Plumber / The employee received a sprain injury to their fingers whilst attempting to repair a basin tap. The employee was using a pair of hand grips to undo the faulty tap when they experienced a sharp pain in their hand. This resulted in 5 days absence from work.
Action The process used to remove the taps from the sink is a standard practice. There were no problems with the tools being used and this appears to be a result of over applying pressure to remove the tap and a sprain resulted.
Q2 / 14/07/2010 / Planning
Planning Technician / Employee was lifting a bag of metal poles for an exhibition display board from the boot of their car. They were passing the bag to an assistant when a sudden pain was felt in their back. The employee needed medical attention and was diagnosed with a ruptured cartilage in their back. The employee was away from work for 7 days then returned on light duties.
Action – An evaluation of the training needs for planning employees has taken place and training in manual handling has been actioned. The process for moving and handling equipment is also risk assessed.
Q2 / 10/09/2010 / Learning & Achievement / Employee slipped on wet wooden floor in the entrance of the school as they were leaving the building. The employee had stepped outside of the door when they were called back. The ground outside was wet from a rain shower and therefore the employees shoe on contact with the floor slipped and they fell injuring their foot and needed hospital treatment.
Action – the entrance of the school should have suitable flooring to absorb any moisture from shoes. A memo will be sent to all schools to remind them of the need to have appropriate mats in place at entrances.
Q2 / 29/09/2010 / Environment
Street Scene Operative / The employee was injured whilst manoeuvring an assisted collection wheelie bin up a flight of steps. They felt a pain in their lower back which resulted in 12 days absence from work.
Action The employee had received training in manual handling in this type of activity. A review of the process of manoeuvring wheelie bins up and down steps will take place to ensure all potential problems are highlighted and dealt with.