Meeting documents

Cabinet Member Decisions for Change Management
Tuesday, 19 September 2006

XH190906-01

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ITEM CMDCM1

CABINET MEMBER FOR CHANGE MANAGEMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2006

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERING

Report by Head of Human Resources

Introduction

  1. In October 2005 the Cabinet was asked to approve a pilot Employee volunteering scheme which would allow staff paid time to volunteer for community or charity work. Such schemes have a number of benefits both for the organisation and individual members of staff. The proposal was that, as part of their personal development plan, employees would be able to consider whether a volunteering activity in the local community, or within the County Council itself, would meet their development needs. Up to 2 days (15 hours) paid leave were matched with 2 days of their own time to undertake the development activity. The time taken had to fit with service requirements.

  2. The pilot scheme was launched to coincide with Investors in People week (31 October - 4 November). The pilot was open to employees in Resources and Environment & Economy directorates (approximately 900 staff). The resources required to run the scheme were expected to be minimal.

  3. From the experience of other schemes it was expected that take up would be no more than 5-10% of eligible employees i.e. 45-90 people. In the event only a handful of employees took up this opportunity.

    4. Evaluation Report

  4. An evaluation of the pilot was carried out and is attached at Appendix A (download as .doc file). Table (download as .doc file).

    5. Financial and Staff Implications

  5. Outlined in the evaluation report.

    6. RECOMMENDATION

  6. The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to retain the lessons learnt from this pilot and place Employee Volunteering 'on hold' until resourcing issues can be resolved. This is with the expectation that there is still a very valid future for such a programme, particularly given the requirements for Chartermark. It is also assumed if the project were to be re-invested in a natural area for it to be managed from would be within the HR Team, Shared Service Centre.

    (Statement of Decision)

STEVE MUNN
Head of Human Resources

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Angela Edward, Assistant County HR Manager (01865 814678)

September 2006

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