« TRAVEL ALLOWANCES: START OF NEGOTIATIONS | Main | TRAVEL ALLOWANCES - PROSPECTIVE CUTS »
November 06, 2008
NEW STAFF CARE AND WORKLOADS AGREEMENT
We have been involved in negotiations since last year on a new workload tool and related staff care agreement. The new policy and procedures are attached (there may be some minor changes to make). We hope to formally sign off on this in early December. The negotiations stand out as having been constructive. It is not a perfect agreement and neither party has got what it sought at the outset. It’s not the end of discussions on workloads, but the policy seeks to represent a model that is realistic about meeting operational demands and a model that is rooted in a concern for the care of staff. The model will evolve.
We are going to recommend that the membership accept this policy and it will be discussed at our next branch meeting on Friday 21st November at IB road, Portsmouth.
In our view it is an improvement on what went before. The previous approach to workloads was inconsistent and required a lot of monthly inputs from members. This new model has incorporated factors such as annual leave, training and allowances for non-casework activities as part of its basis assumptions, so it should prove to be more user-friendly.
This workload model is not comprehensive, but there is a commitment from the management side to do further work over the next twelve months to make it more inclusive. As it stands its main focus is on case management tasks.
A weakness in the area of workload management has been one of shared ownership and a lack of standard practice in addressing excessive workloads. Napo is clear that if the figures speak then everyone must listen and action must follow. We must see an end to members being in the Red without apparent relief in sight. The model is underpinned by clear principles and it is incumbent on all who are associated with the model to ensure these principles are upheld and followed. Napo will take up any case with vigour if there is evidence of non-compliance with the key aims of the policy – an end to excessive workloads. This is a fundamental duty of care concern. However, we hope it never comes to that and it shouldn’t if we all keep to the procedures of the policy.
Members will still have to input some information, but it will be minimal. Monthly returns are important and historically it has been a legitimate management complaint that staff do not consistently make the necessary inputs. We trust when the model is up and running, members ensure the necessary inputs - this will help increase confidence in the management of workloads.
The model allows for reasonable adjustments linked to disability.
It’s a lot to read and in view of its size we will not be printing off copies for distribution at the branch meeting, but please review it to inform any concerns or questions you may wish to raise.
We need to discuss this at the branch meeting and will, but members will be aware that the issue of threatened cuts to travel allowances is likely to dominate debate. So please also use email to raise concerns with either George Clarke or Richard Marshall.
Posted by Hampshire at November 6, 2008 12:23 PM