Issue - meetings

(i)       to note that officers would liaise with the provider as to whether there could be identification of the reasons for the drop in usage of the EAS support and provide information to Members if possible, outwith the meeting;

(ii)       in respect of the comments from Members on section 3.2.7 of the report and the fact that it would be helpful for reasons for referral to be available, to note that officers would raise this with the provider;

(iii)      to note the comments from Members and Trade Union advisers in respect of employees having access to reports from the provider prior to managers, and to further note that officers were working with the provider to establish whether the functionality of the system could be changed to allow this;

(iv)      to note that officers would liaise with the provider to see if any further breakdown of the figures at 3.1.4 of the report was possible; and

(v)      to note the improvement in the sickness absence figures throughout 2024; progress made in relation to the Attendance Improvement Project; and the continuing drive to raise awareness of frontline staff support initiatives.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director Corporate Services which provided an update on utilisation of the Employee Assistance Service (EAS) provided by VIVUP during the last 12 month period from January – December 2024, as well as the regular 12 monthly update on Occupational Health and Absence from January – December 2024.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      consider the contents of the report; and

(b)      note the improvement in the sickness absence figures throughout 2024;

progress made in relation to the Attendance Improvement Project; and the continuing drive to raise awareness of frontline staff support initiatives.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would liaise with the provider as to whether there could be identification of the reasons for the drop in usage of the EAS support and provide information to Members if possible, outwith the meeting;

(ii)       in respect of the comments from Members on section 3.2.7 of the report and the fact that it would be helpful for reasons for referral to be available, to note that officers would raise this with the provider;

(iii)      to note the comments from Members and Trade Union advisers in respect of employees having access to reports from the provider prior to managers, and to further note that officers were working with the provider to establish whether the functionality of the system could be changed to allow this;

(iv)      to note that officers would liaise with the provider to see if any further breakdown of the figures at 3.1.4 of the report was possible; and

(v)      to approve the recommendations.