6 days ago
Update on bringing together four council payroll systems
STAFF at Cumberland Council were all paid through the same payroll system for the first time since the unitary authority was formed last month, councillors have heard.
Members of the council's business and resources overview and scrutiny committee met at Allerdale House in Workington on get an update on staff sickness absences on Tuesday (June 3).
Before she started her update Jacqui Green, assistant director of human resources and organisational development, told members of the progress made in unifying the authority's payroll system.
The work is required because when it was formed as a new unitary authority it inherited four different payroll systems from the former Carlisle City, Allerdale, Copeland and Cumbria County councils.
Relating to sickness absences Ms Green said there was a big focus on early intervention and staff wellbeing and the aim was to identify issues early on.
According to her report there are still four separate sickness absence policies which managers must apply.
The report states: 'The human resources and organisational development (HROD) team have engaged with managers and are currently working with the council's recognised trade unions to develop one policy to manage absences.
'It is expected that a new policy will be finalised in June 2025. This new approach will have a focus on prevention and wellbeing.
'This will support a reduction in the council sickness absence rate. The introduction of the policy will be facilitated by a mandatory programme of dedicated upskilling for managers to support them in their line management duties. Trade union colleagues will also be invited to attend the training.'
When councillor David Moore (Gosforth, Conservative) asked if there was a timeline for bringing the policies together Ms Green assured him she was hopeful that it should be completed by the end of the month.
It was recommended that the next report, which details further progress, is presented to the committee in six months' time which was agreed.
