Meeting

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meetings held on 1 July and 17 July 2025 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Purpose.

To update the Employment Committee on the government’s intended employment law reforms and any amendments since the November 2024 Employment Committee report.

RECOMMENDED that the committee note the report.

Purpose.

1.1. The purpose of this report is to update the Employment Committee about the levels and causes of sickness absence across the Council and the actions being taken to improve attendance and promote employee health and wellbeing.

1.2. The reference period for reporting purpose is a rolling 12 month from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025, data has been compared to the period 1st October 2023 to 30th September 2024.

Using a 12 month rolling period enables strategic long-term planning and bench marking, whilst capturing seasonal patterns.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Members are recommended to:

· Note the increase in absence levels across the organisation.

· Note the levels and causes of sickness absence across the Council and by directorate.

· Note the activities and interventions undertaken to support attendance and improve health and wellbeing.

· Note the information regarding Vivup.

· Note that the directorates showing the highest increase in sickness absence are among the smallest in terms of headcount. In these cases, even a single instance of long-term absence can significantly impact the overall figures.

Purpose.

The purpose of this report is to present to the committee the workforce profile for 2024 with a summary of key highlights.

RECOMMENDED that the committee note the contents of the report and attached workforce profile.