Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner (copy attached).

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Commissioner setting out the Force’s Human Resources monitoring data from the period 1^st April 2012 to 31^st March 2013.

The Chairman suggested that the proposed future appointments will provide the Force with an opportunity to make the workforce more representative of its community.

The Chairman stated that the contextual commentary giving the reasons for high sickness levels for support staff was very helpful. The Chairman asked that more comparative information be provided in future HR monitoring reports, for example, grievance levels and sickness levels.

The Director of Corporate Services intimated that Members may have a concern over sickness management, and the number of sick days taken by support staff. The average working days lost are 7.5 days for staff and 5.4 days for officers.  He explained that the Force will be undertaking a review of how it managed sickness absence and developing an action plan. In addition, sickness policies would be reviewed with the support of the Corporation’s HR Department and an escalation process will be instituted for more difficult cases. The Force will be writing to those on long term sickness to offer help and support.

RECEIVED.