Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Occupational Health and Safety Managerwhich provided an update on the council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) performance for Quarter two 2020/21 (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Shuttleworth referred to employee mental health and wellbeing and asked what responsibility the Council took for members of staff who indicated that working from home was affecting their mental health.  The Occupational Health and Safety Manager confirmed that individuals who had been identified as being affected were assessed to identify the risk of working from home against the risk of returning to the workplace and would accommodate staff accordingly.  He confirmed that there had been up to 30 employees at one time that had expressed concern relating to home working, this had reduced when restrictions had eased and was expected to rise through Winter, but the number fluctuated greatly.

Councillor Kellet queried the health and safety COVID-19 risk register and employees who may be at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 due to redeployment and the Occupational Health and Safety Manager confirmed that an example was of someone who had more interaction with people than their substantive role may be at a higher risk of exposure, however this should be offset by the control measures in place.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.