SUPPORTING WELLBEING

Small changes in the workplace and personal lives can make big differences to the wellbeing of employees and in turn can reduce absenteeism. Relevant information can be found on the Mental Health and Wellbeing SharePoint pages which includes wellbeing toolkits, action plans, signposting to support services, advice on good health and training to improve mental health and wellbeing.

SPECIAL LEAVE AND EMPLOYEE AIDE 

It may be necessary for an employee to be absent from work due to reasons other than illness and it is important that all absence is correctly labelled and recorded. Special leave provisions are available to support employees when they require time off for personal reasons.  Information about the special leave arrangements are on the Zone.  In addition to the these arrangements, Employee Aide is a provision to assist employees to deal with unexpected family, personal or domestic problems and provide managers with more flexibility in dealing with requests for time off when these situations arise.

3.2        ANNUAL LEAVE

Employees should be encouraged to use their annual leave proportionately throughout the year to prevent stress and tiredness.

3.3        COUNSELLING SERVICE

Employee Assistance Programme (Vivup)
Aberdeen City Council provides a free, confidential, 24 hour counselling service 365 days per year.

3.4        FLEXIBLE WORKING

As part of the Smarter Working Guidance, employees can request to work flexibly. Managers should consider the options under Smarter Working when managing someone under the Supporting Attendance and Wellbeing Policy.

Flexible Working

3.5        STRESS INFORMATION.

For more information about stress, its causes and ideas and techniques to control and manage stress check out our Stress Awareness pages on SharePoint.

3.6        MENOPAUSE

Check out our Menopause pages on PeopleAnytime for more information and join our Employee Peer Support Menopause Group on Yammer today!

3.7        EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Aberdeen City Council promotes equality of opportunity and is committed to having a diverse workforce where everyone is valued and respected. For more information

Equality and Diversity

https://aberdeencitycouncilo365.sharepoint.com/sites/PeopleAnytime/SitePages/Equality-and-Diversity.aspx

3.8        EXTENSION OF OCCUPATIONAL SICK PAY

The Council recognises the difficulties that individuals and their families may encounter financially if their occupational sick pay ceases due to their length of time off sick due to being in the terminal phase of an illness*. The Council is therefore committed to ensuring that, in return for their loyalty to the authority, a continuation of occupational sick pay can be requested by Services in order to ease the stress of financial commitments placed on employees and their families.

For more information

Sick Pay

4.0        USEFUL CONTACTS

            Access to Work – www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview 

            Fit For Work Service – Advice Line 0800 019 2211, www.fitforworkscotland.scot

            Healthy Working Lives – www.healthyworkinglives.com