Agenda item

The Assistant Chief Executive (Human Resources) reported on the range of employee involvement initiatives that had been carried out under the Exchange programme during April-September, 2009, which included:-

Reach-In

-        1 survey had been conducted during the period in question (Reach-In 8) for which the response rate was 46%

-        Questions included internal communications

-        Unite

o       Almost 60% of respondents did not know how to submit an article to Unite

o       Mixed opinion as to whether news from the Directorates was covered

o       Online version would be more reader friendly

o       52% wished to see a letters or feedback page

o       Suggested energy efficiency reminders be included

o       Better alert system when a new edition was published.

-        Briefings

o       High neutral response received when asked about the amount of briefings received

Focus Groups

-        2 rounds of focus groups had been held during the period in question

-        1^st round looked at navigating the intranet.  To date approximately 90% of the suggested changes agreed had been made or were in the process of being made

-        2^nd round focussed on new skills frameworks currently under development.  As a result a number of changes had been made

Worker Representative Groups

-        The Groups that continued to be active were Disabled Workers Group, Black Minority Ethnic Group and Women’s Issues Network

Employee Suggestion Scheme

-        April to August, the scheme received 125 suggestions, 75 of which were valid.  15 were recommended by the Panel for implementation

-        Progress had been made with the number of outstanding suggestions for implementation with 27 suggestions being clear since the last report to CMT.  Of those, 21 were implemented.  There were still 37 suggestions outstanding. 

New Joiner Survey

-        Continued to track new employees’ engagement and satisfaction with the Council as an employer and includes questions on the recruitment process, their general induction, welcome and support received, performance and development and perceptions of Rotherham Council

-        The current engagement index for 2008/09 was 84%

-        As from October, 2009, the running of the survey would be carried out in-house and corporate findings reported every 6 months

Leaver Survey

-        The questionnaire had been aligned with the new joiner survey and the employee opinion survey so that engagement and satisfaction could be tracked throughout the ‘life’ of the employee

-        RBT were currently investigating the feasibility of providing electronic surveys to those who were e-enabled prior to them leaving the Council

Resolved:-  (1)  That with regard to Reach-In, focus groups and worker representative groups:-

(a)  that the Strategic Leadership be asked to encourage their own Directorate Management Teams to submit topics for consultation and

(b)  the actions arising from the initiatives continue to be supported.

(2)  That with regard to the Employee Suggestion Scheme:-

(a)  that the Strategic Leadership Team was responsible for ensuring that outstanding suggestions were implemented during 2009/10 or included in Service Plans for 2010/2011.

(3)  That with regard to Back to the Floor:-

(a)  that the Strategic Leadership Team be asked to commit time to Back to the Floor activities and produce publicity/photo relating to it and

(b)  that the Strategic Leadership Team be asked to ensure their Directors participated in Back to the Floor or Walking the Floor activity.