WSD District ER informal

I've been at the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire District Employee Relations Informal Meeting today.

This is the regular meeting for PCS to meet with the District Manager, Rob Cooper, and discuss issues which affect the whole district.

Issues which affect one site only are discussed by reps based in each office.

Here are some of the items we discussed.

DERM - we discussed the need to complete a risk assessment before deciding to remove the podiums and the screened areas.  Loughborough is the only office in Leicestershire which currently has a screened area.  We also sought assurances about pods and grading of CSMs.

Performance - we discussed spinning plates and the welcome fact that we appear to be moving away from the number of DMA referrals to the quality of those referrals.

Employee Engagement - we discussed that initiatives that the district management team at all levels are taking to engage more with staff.  Both PCS and management are keen that mangers and staff have all the 1-2-1 meetings.  If yours are not happening please make sure that you request them and diary them in.  Please let PCS or management know if this is not happening.

Staffing - we discussed the workforce plan.  We are close to the right number of people but not necessarily the right grade mix or in the right place.  Both PCS and management hope that there is some prospect of promotion later in the year.  This is not guaranteed.  The district has had some transfers in and further transfers would be looked at on a case by case basis.  Management confirmed that there is no blanket ban on changes to working patterns.  Any applications would be looked at on a case by case basis.  PCS recommends that if you wish to change your working pattern you put in a formal application while being as flexible as possible over days, hours and location.  We can help managers and staff with the discussion and advise on the next steps if you are unsuccessful.

Please get in touch with me or your rep if you want any more details or you have an issue that we need to discuss with management.