Nottingham City Council

Transcription

1 Nottingham City Council Ensuring Outstanding Health, Safety and Wellbeing Across a Local Authority Working Well Interventions - a case study Jacqueline Armand Employee Wellbeing Manager

2 Background Nottingham City Council One of the largest employers in Nottingham-just under 7,000 employees 54% of employees are city residents Diverse workforce 65% aged % female 17% from BME Key facts East Midlands region ranked highest for sickness absence in Great Britain Women are 42% more likely to be off work due to sickness Older workers attract more sickness absence

3 Nottingham City Council aspirations Attract, recruit, develop and retain talent-especially young people, graduates & future apprentices to help address the aging workforce Improve engagement & wellbeing Be an employer of choice in Nottingham Generate savings Support the Council s environmental, sustainability and social responsibility commitments

4 Challenging economic climate Public service cuts deepen as councils near financial tipping point The Guardian, May 2014 Real austerity means public sector cuts Telegraph, Nov 2014 Public sector cuts worsen low pay trap Financial Times, Oct 2014 Financial constraints Central funding cuts No budget for wellbeing/rewards/benefits Sickness absence costing 6.1m Essential to embrace the challenge Creative options explored Working Well initiative

5 Working Well Project Principles that underpinned our project: Early intervention for those who develop a health condition Prevention of illness and promotion of health and wellbeing Initial steps The establishment of dedicated resources and infrastructure to enable collaboration of all key stakeholders to work together in a task force way. Creation of an easily identifiable umbrella brand for the delivery of interventions and a source of information for Managers and Employees. This defined clear accountabilities for improving attendance and health. Short, medium and long term interventions (2 year project - Sept 2014 to August 2016)

6 Awareness initiatives Early intervention - physio Functional capacity evaluations Working Well Initiatives Training For Managers, and employees plus access to free NVQ s Early GP interaction to achieve a safe return to work Flu vaccination programme Wellbeing Clinics stress and mental health conditions Health Screening Online Health programme for all employees Access to an Employee Assistance programme

7 Reward initiatives Managers Toolkit Flexible Fitness Links to Wellbeing and Working Well Programme Total Reward Brochure GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Recognition Scheme

8 Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Early Intervention Programme Are you suffering from a musculoskeletal related injury that is impacting upon your work? This could include conditions effecting your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons etc. If so, the Early Intervention Programme could help you! The programme provides assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for employees to help in the recovery from musculoskeletal injuries/conditions. For more information about the programme, speak to your Manager We re here to help you remain healthy and at work Jacqui Armand Employee Wellbeing Manager Employee Wellbeing Tel: ew.admin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

9 Exploring successful interaction with GPs Key aim was to improve communication between GPs and employers/occupational health providers To have a joint approach to ensuring a safe and sustainable return to work Led by Employee Wellbeing (Occupational Health) to ensure the GP is aware of what support is available to enable an employee to RTW The employer commits to provide the support to the GP in writing via OH GP signs employee back to earlier than original fit note This has been effective in a number of cases, in particular where stress at work is perceived. GP interaction and communication has improved.

10 Achievements Cost of sickness down from 6.1m to 4.1m Average FTE sickness down from FTEs to 8.29 FTEs Musculoskeletal disorders - down by 19% in pilot area and overall down by 11.95% Stress and mental health absence down by 11% Viruses down by 1% (through infection control awareness and flu vaccination programme ) Improved OH referral times (from first day of sickness to being referred to OH) improved from an average of 19 weeks to 4.5 weeks Awareness sessions identified 3 employees with life limiting illnesses at early stage on road to recovery now

11 Achievements Over 750,000 in council savings in 2015 MYtime & holiday plus schemes alone have generated over 640,000 in council savings and over 2 million saved in last 3 years (2014 to 2016) Over 300k pa employee tax & NI savings from salary sacrifice schemes

12 Employee Wellbeingexpansion of intervention approach in all activities Jacqui Armand Employee Wellbeing Manager Direct Line (0115) Mobile hamcity.gov.uk New Starter Medicals General referrals Workplace assessments DSE assessments Physiotherapy Functional Capacity Evaluations Immunisation Ill Health retirement Wellbeing Appointments (stress and mental health) GP/consultant reports GP challenges of fit notes Stress action plans Stress audits Hearing tests Lung function tests Hand arm vibration testing Skin surveillance Case conferences with clinicians (OHP, OHA Wellbeing/awareness / training events Wellbeing audits

13 Award winning employee benefits June 2016 Benefits Team of the year Employee Benefits Awards June 2016 Best Voluntary Benefits Employee Benefits Awards July 2015 Most effective rewards and benefits strategy HR Excellence Awards March 2014 Best Salary Sacrifice Scheme (holidayplus and MYtime) Pay & Benefits Awards Personnel Today Awards 2015 September 2015 Savings and benefits team of the year WSB Awards & Highly Commended Sept 2016 June 2014 Best Voluntary Benefits Scheme Employee Benefits Awards