Cheshire East Council has launched a new employee deal as part of a programme of work to improve workplace culture at the authority.
Councillors and members of staff from across the organisation have taken part in events to formally unveil the vision for workplace culture.
A report published in January concluded that bullying and harassment had taken place at the council, after individuals supplied information by email in response to a survey.
An independent review was undertaken by Sarah Messenger, a workforce consultant from the Local Government Association (LGA).
Being described as part of the council’s ‘Brighter Future Together’ culture programme, the new plans set out to address the recommendations of the review.
In it, the LGA recommended: “The council should consider presenting a new employment deal for everyone working in Cheshire East, which is explicit about what employees can expect from the council and what the council can expect from them.”
It also recommended that: “Elected members and senior managers should initiate an immediate conversation about what they want the ‘tone’ of the organisation to be.”
Kath O’Dwyer, acting chief executive at Cheshire East Council, commented: “This is a significant milestone in our Brighter Future Together culture programme.
“More than a thousand individuals, including staff members, councillors and union representatives contributed directly to the words and ideas embodied in these documents.
“They will shape the way we work together, the standards we can expect of each other and will help us make Cheshire East Council one of the best places you could hope to work.”
Cllr Rachel Bailey, leader of the council, added: “I thank all officers, members and union representatives for their positive contributions.
“This is just one aspect of our work to develop an increasingly positive culture, to ensure that staff feel safe, supported, and respected and to ensure that they are well led.”
The ‘Brighter Future Together’ programme will next go on to form a development programme for managers, workshops to help staff embed the behaviours in their day-to-day work and further promotion of helplines for staff who may need advice and guidance.
The helplines will include support for council employees facing a range of issues.
