HR Bulletin - March 2021
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the March edition of our HR Bulletin. We have some interesting information for you to escalate to your teams. For additional information on any of the below articles please contact karen.baker@moray.gov.uk
BREXIT
Tuesday 23 March, marked 100 days to go until the deadline of 30 June 2021 for applications to be made to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members, who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, should apply without delay so that they can continue to work, study, access free healthcare and benefits in the UK after 30 June 2021.
Information on how to apply and where to get support will be published on the Interchange soon. A range of support is available to those that need help to apply. The following link provides information on where to get support. www.gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme
Manager’s Guidance will also be available via a dedicated page on the Interchange.
LONG SERVICE AWARDS
The Long Service Award (2020) virtual ceremony planned for March 2021 has been reviewed. Due to the anticipated levels of participation, the awards will now be sent individually without a virtual ceremony. There are 153 awards to be distributed across the various services within the council and we are extremely thankful for all of the employees dedicated service over the years. We do have the incredible achievement of 2 employees celebrating 50 years’ service as well as 7 employees achieving 40 years’ service.
E-LEARNING
There are two new modules available on CLIVE (Learnpro) for managers this month to support them in their role.
- Moray: Induction for Managers will introduce the management culture, cover effective communication, look at council policies, procedures and guidance and highlight support available to them.
- Moray: Recruitment & Selection has replaced the classroom based Interview Skills. This module goes through the steps and procedures involved in the recruitment process.
You can access CLIVE (Learnpro) from the Interchange home page or http://interchange.moray.gov.uk/int_standard/Page_107125.html
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION SCHEME
The employee appreciation scheme launched successfully earlier this year as an interim scheme in place of the STAR awards for 2021. We know that it has been an extremely challenging time for all employees and this is an ideal way to acknowledge and show appreciation of the effort being made every day by our colleagues.
You can find details of the scheme and see our appreciation noticeboard up and running on the Interchange by clicking this link - http://interchange.moray.gov.uk/int_standard/Page_135362.html
You can submit your information about an individual or team that you believe deserves recognition for the difference they are making by emailing employeeappreciation@moray.gov.uk. Alternatively, hard copy forms will be available from the Interchange or your line manager.
SCOTTISH MILITARY COMMUNITY PAGE
We are continuing to update the Scottish Military page monthly with updates from Age Scotland for our service veterans, and information directly from a major in the Scottish Military for our serving personnel. You can find details on the Interchange: http://interchange.moray.gov.uk/int_standard/Page_134613.html
HOMEWORKING AND STAYING HEALTHY
The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors have published a fact sheet detailing tips for homeworking and staying healthy. With a lot of us working from home and having to adapt our home environment to encompass a working area, it can be especially difficult if you don’t have a dedicated space to work. The fact sheet covers setting up your workspace, creating the right environment, navigating your home and staying mentally fit. You can find the fact sheet on the interchange - https://ergonomics.org.uk/common/Uploaded%20files/Publications/CIEHF-Working-from-Home-Infographic.pdf
If you require further support, please contact your line manager in the first instance.
PRE RETIREMENT COURSES
Affinity Connect are running 2 hour pre-retirement courses to anyone considering retirement within the next 3 years. The courses will encourage a positive and realistic approach to a financially secure retirement and help employees make informed choices.
Monday 28th June 2021 @ 1.00pm - 3.00pm (online via Microsoft Teams)
Tuesday 14th September 2021@ TBC (hopefully Classroom based)
Thursday 18th November 2020 @ TBC (hopefully Classroom based)
Spaces are available to book via Learnpro or by emailing organisational.development@moray.gov.uk
DIVERSITY QUESTIONNAIRE AMENDMENT
From the 1st April 2021 the diversity questionnaire completed with applications on MyJobScotland will be changing slightly. Rather than asking ‘How would you describe your gender’, the question will now ask ‘What is your sex’. There will still be the option ‘prefer not to say’ and responses to the questionnaire will now be mandatory. This amendment has been introduced to align with the 2022 Scottish Census options.
This amendment will relate to any person applying for a vacancy after 1st April 2021 regardless of whether they have previously registered with MyJobScotland.