Working For Us

The Transformation Programme’s Customers and Digital Workstream has been working to rationalise and automate a number of paper-based processes, such as the processing of outgoing mail, timesheets, invoices and the printing of documents for signing.

• Electronic Signatures and Hybrid Mail: These solutions are being rolled out across a number of services and are already delivering a more cost-effective and productive way of working whist supporting staff to work in a more hybrid way. The use of a hybrid mail solution is providing services with opportunities to make significant savings in relation to postage, printing and productivity. Progress also continues to be made in respect of the automation of paper-based timesheets
• Robotics Technology: This technology, now used for some or our HR processes and recently introduced to support Free School Meals and School Essential Grants processes, is boosting productivity and freeing up officer time. Managers and customers are also seeing significant benefits as requests are processed instantly.
• Future Plans: We’re exploring more processes to automate and, this Autumn we will start to pilot Microsoft Co-Pilot, a new chat-based assistant that can help you work more efficiently with Microsoft apps such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint.

You can find out more about the work of the Transformation Team by visiting our dedicated Transformation intranet pages.

• Staff News: We’ve been keeping you updated on our Transformation progress through Staff News and our Programme’s webpages.
• Staff Roadshows: Over the past 6 months, these events have allowed front-line staff to share ideas for smarter working. More roadshows are coming later in 2024.
• Get Involved: We’re exploring new ways to engage with front-line teams. If you want to contribute, reach out to our Transformation Team via our Have your Say facility.

• Future Leaders: The Transformation Programme is now aligned with the Council’s Future Leaders Programme, where 10 Future Leaders have worked on transformation projects as part of their development.
• Our Graduates: Participants in the Council’s Graduate Placement Programme also get a chance to work with the Transformation Team.
• Get involved: Any staff member can now participate in or lead a transformation project. This will soon be formalised in a corporate development programme.

Find out more by visiting our dedicated Transformation intranet pages.

Our Health and Wellbeing Coordinators have been busy supporting your workplace wellbeing:

• Weekly Articles & Meetings: You will have seen their articles in the weekly staff newsletter and some of you will have met them at your departmental meetings and conferences.
• Events & Resources: From health fairs to e-chat sessions, the team has organised well attended events and updated the intranet with valuable resources.
• Stress Management & Tailored Support: Attending workshops and developing specific interventions, they have been working closely with HR and Occupational Health to tackle sickness absence and promote positive wellbeing.
• Sickness Absence Support: Working closely with HR and the Occupational Health and Safety teams, we’re looking at the root causes of sickness absence. Our aim is to reduce sickness absence by championing positive wellbeing across the board.
• Wellbeing Champions: We also have trained champions in every department who help to spread important health and wellbeing messages as well as support the organisation of local events.
• Mental Health First Aiders: Also available now, in every department, are trained staff who are providing colleagues with confidential support.

Find out more by visiting our dedicated Health & Wellbeing intranet pages.

• Leadership Academi: This new Academi, which was recently launched, has been designed for aspiring, emerging, and evolving leaders, and has received fantastic feedback from our first cohort. We’re now recruiting for the second cohort of each group. Curious to learn more? Visit our Learning and Development pages for all the details.

We’re committed to creating a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. Through a series of proactive initiatives, we’re empowering staff, improving safety measures, and promoting overall wellbeing. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been doing across the Council to ensure a secure and supportive environment for all:

• Risk Assessment Training: Training key staff to spot and tackle workplace hazards.
• Safety Audits: Routine checks by Health and Safety Advisors to keep your working environments safe.
• Incident Reporting: A streamlined system for reporting safety concerns, helping us act fast.
• Display Screen Assessments: Tailored workstation adjustments to prevent strain and injury.
• Mental Health Resources: Access to wellbeing support, stress management workshops, and mental health first aid.
• Health and Safety Groups: Regular meetings with management and staff to review and improve safety procedures.
• Emergency Preparedness Drills: Regular drills, including fire drills, evacuation procedures, and first aid training, to ensure everyone is prepared for emergencies.
• Health Surveillance: Monitoring staff health, especially in high-risk areas, to detect early signs of work-related illnesses.
• Collaboration: Working closely with our occupational health service to ensure personalised support interventions for staff with specific health concerns.
• Promoting Safe Practices: Keeping safety top-of-mind with regular communications and training.

Together, these initiatives show our dedication to a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. Find out more by visiting the Health & Safety and Occupational Health pages of our Intranet.