Catering and FM

Wednesday 17 April

Message from Stephen Sawers.

Monday 25 March

Payroll deadline dates for submitting overtime claim forms 2024/2025

It is important these forms are submitted on or before the deadline dates detailed below and completed correctly with all the relevant information to ensure there are no delays in you receiving payment for additional hours.

Important information - to make sure you receive your payments on time.

All overtime claims must be submitted at the end of each working week and not held back until the end of the submission period.
Overtime claim forms should be posted on the Friday of the week the overtime has been undertaken (with exception of any Saturday working).

**Payroll deadline dates 2024/2025**
Pay Date 2024/2025	Overtime sheet to be given to Area Manager no later than the dates detailed below
Tuesday	Friday
30 April 2024	5 April 2024
28 May 2024	3 May 2024
25 June 2024	7 June 2024
23 July 2024	5 July 2024
20 August 2024	26 July 2024
17 September 2024	23 August 2024
15 October 2024	20 September 2024
12 November 2024	18 October 2024
10 December 2024	15 November 2024
*07 January 2025	6 December 2024
4 February 2025	10 January 2025
4 March 2025	7 February 2025
01 April 2025	7 March 2025

*07 January 2025: Deadline and submission dates will be changed due to the holiday period and will be reviewed nearer the time

Friday 15 March

Pilot of New Absence Procedure and Reporting Telephone Line

The health and wellbeing of all our employees is important so we have a workforce that can deliver our vital frontline services. To ensure our absence reporting procedures are robust and we can provide our employees with the right support at the right time we are changing the current absence reporting procedure and piloting an absence reporting telephone line for the following groups of staff:

Grade 1:

catering and breakfast assistants
cleaners
and school crossing patrollers
Please note at this time the pilot will not include staff who work in care homes, children's residential units and hostels for the homeless or staff at Cook Freeze.

If you are in the group of grade 1 staff who are included in the pilot, you will have received a letter to our home address confirming this. If you work at Cook Freeze and received a letter about the pilot, please continue to follow your normal absence reporting procedures.

If your role is part of the pilot, it is important you read the information below carefully to ensure you know what to do and when.

When does the absence reporting procedure pilot start?

The pilot will start on Monday 18 March and will continue until Friday 2 August 2024.

Which staff are included in the pilot?

The pilot will include grade 1 catering and breakfast assistants, cleaners and school crossing patrollers, and will exclude staff who work in care homes, children's residential units and hostels for the homeless.

Important information about the absence reporting telephone line

From Monday 18 March, if you are reporting absent due to ill health you must call the dedicated absence reporting line to report the first day of your absence, instead of contacting your line manager or work location.

Depending on your role, you must call the absence reporting line as detailed below, and as early as possible in advance of your shift starting.

catering assistants and cleaners: Between 7am and 10am
breakfast assistants: Between 7am and 7:30am
school crossing patrollers: Between 7am and 7:30am

The telephone number for the absence reporting line is:

0141 287 1127 and this will be open between the hours of 7am and 10am. If the lines are busy, you should leave a message with your name and contact details to receive a call back.

If you become unfit for duty after these reporting times you should phone the reporting line as early as possible and in advance of your shift- starting.

What do I do if I have reported from work absent due to ill health and the pilot has started?

if you are currently absent and the pilot coincides with when you should be calling your manager to report the fourth or seventh day of your absence, you should now call the absence reporting line to provide an update on the fourth or seventh day.
if you continue to be absent after seven days or are long term absent (absent for 20 or more days) you should maintain regular contact with your manager every seventh day.

You can find more information about health and wellbeing support at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing

Tuesday 5 March

Is something playing on your mind?

If you're worried about something or are feeling low, spaces are available to talk to a mental health professional from Able Futures, in complete confidence, at the next virtual appointment day on Thursday 21 March, between 7.30am and 5.30pm.

Able Futures offer nine months of free, confidential support from a qualified mental health professional on a one-to-one basis over the phone, by email, or video call at a time to suit you.

There are no waiting lists. Help is available now with issues such as anxiety, depression, bereavement, or stress, or to deal with debt problems, or relationship breakdowns. Whatever is playing on your mind and affecting the way you feel, Able Futures can support you so that you can feel better and have more good days.

It is a completely confidential service and Able Futures will not share your details with anyone else unless you ask them to.

How to book

We know it's not always easy to make that first phone call, so we're offering you the opportunity to book a 30-minute confidential telephone appointment where a mental health professional will call you.

Booking your appointment is simple. Just click on the booking link and select your preferred time slot https://calendly.com/lisa-woodward-1/appointment-booking-mental-health-support-gc-21mar

You will be asked to provide your name, email and phone contact details. You will receive confirmation of your appointment by email, and a member of the Able Futures team will call you at your chosen time.

During the phone call, they will answer any initial questions you have about the service and can help you complete an application for further support if you feel it would be of benefit to you.

Support is available now

You don't have to wait until the appointment day, you can apply through the Able Futures website at any time for support. This confidential service is quick and easy to access:

Freephone 0800 321 3137 for a chat to determine the right support for you, lines are open 8am to 10.30pm, Monday to Friday
Apply online at https://able-futures.co.uk/mental-health-support-for-individuals/apply-for-able-futures

Visit our health and wellbeing support page

For more information go to: www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing

Monday 26 February

Health and Wellbeing Roadshow - Friday 1 March, come along and get involved

Recognising the importance of our employee health and wellbeing and to support staff further we have hosted a number of Health and Wellbeing Roadshows at locations across the city - you are invited to come along and drop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm at the roadshowtaking place on:

Friday 1 March: at Barlarnark Community and Education Centre,33 Burnmouth Road G33 4RZ

On the day there will be interactive fun activities such as a free back, neck and shoulder massages and a smoothie bike so you can make your own fruit smoothies. You can visit awareness stalls from our external partners who will be on site to provide information and advice on all things Health and Wellbeing as well as information on the benefits to joining the Glasgow Credit Union, Hospital Saturday Fund, Home Energy Scotland, menopause advice, cost of living information as well as many more.

For more information Visit our health and wellbeing support at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing

Real Living Wage Increase

The Real Living Wage (formerly known as the Glasgow Living Wage) increases to £12.00 per hour from 1 April 2024.

We will apply this new hourly rate to the salaries of all Grade 1 employees from 1 April 2024 with the first payment received in 2 April 2024 pay.

This increase is in advance of the 2024 to 2025 pay settlement. When that is reached we will update all staff as soon as possible with the changes and any back dated pay at Grade 1 will be for any increase above the £12.00 per hour rate.

Monday 12 February

Your Health and Wellbeing Roadshow - Come along and get involved

Recognising the importance of our employee health and wellbeing and to support staff further we have hosted a number of Health and Wellbeing Roadshows - and you are invited to come along and drop into a roadshow at a location near you - between 2pm until 4pm on any of the dates below:

Thursday 15 February:Barmulloch Community and Education Centre, 46 Wallacewell Quadrant G21 3PX
Friday 1 March: Barlarnark Community and Education Centre,33 Burnmouth Road G33 4RZ

For more information Visit our health and wellbeing support at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing

Thursday 8 February

We're Recruiting: School Crossing Patroller - Permanent Positions

Catering and Facilities Management manage 350 designated crossing patrollers who deliver a vital service to school children and members of the public across the city of Glasgow.

Adhering to road safety regulations the patrollers provide an important and invaluable road safety service.

We are currently recruiting for vacancies based in various locations across the city:

no previous experience is necessary as full training will be provided.
membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) will be essential on taking up appointment - payment for PVG Membership/Checks will be applicable to the successful candidate.
these are Term Time positions, and the hourly rate is £10.15

If you or someone in your family or friends are interested in these positions and would like more information, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing cfmrecruitment@glasgow.gov.uk or phoning 0141 353 9093.

Wednesday 7 February

Your Health and Wellbeing Roadshow - Come along and get involved

Recognising the importance of our employee health and well-being and to support staff further we have hosted a number of Health and Wellbeing Roadshows - and you are invited to come along and drop into a roadshow at a location near you - between 2pm until 4pm on any of the dates below:

Thursday 15 February:Barmulloch Community and Education Centre, 46 Wallacewell Quadrant G21 3PX
Friday 1 March: Barlarnark Community and Education Centre,33 Burnmouth Road G33 4RZ

For more information Visit our health and wellbeing support at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing

Thursday 1 February

CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Annemarie O'Donnell will leave the City Council later this year.

Annemarie has told Council Leader Susan Aitken that she will step down in May, after almost a decade in post and more than 30 years in local government in Glasgow.

Recruitment for a new Chief Executive will begin immediately, with Annemarie's successor appointed before she leaves the City Chambers.

Annemarie said: "I've been privileged to have had the opportunity to serve our city for longer than I could ever have imagined when I joined the District Council more than 30 years ago - and fortunate to share nearly my whole my working life with people that have been so dedicated to Glasgow and its people.

"But, I was still in my forties when I was appointed Chief Executive and, since then, nearly a decade has passed in the blink of an eye.

"It's not a job that really allows you time or capacity to do or even think about much else and, when I look forward to the next ten years, I want to be able to start making room in my life for other things.

"Everybody knows that local government has faced extraordinary challenges in recent years and I think it would be a mistake for any of us to imagine that isn't going to continue.

"However, every day, I work with colleagues who are innovative and resilient; totally committed to this city, and formidable leaders in their own right.

"Whoever follows me will be ready to meet those challenges, with a great team alongside them."

Council leader Susan Aitken said: "It's difficult to overstate Annemarie's contribution to Glasgow during her long career at the council, and particularly as Chief Executive.

"Her calm demeanour belies a real passion for the city and determination to make things better, especially for our residents and communities who face the biggest challenges.

"In a big city, there's not a day goes by without some new issue being thrown up, often very daunting ones.

"Annemarie's professionalism, her focus on problem-solving and partnership-building, her trust in her team to deliver, her willingness to face tough decisions head on, and her compassion for those who'll be affected by those decisions, have helped to see Glasgow through everything from major fires to a global pandemic.

"On a personal level, I've really enjoyed my close working relationship with Annemarie these past six-and-a-half years. I've learned a lot from her and I'll miss her very much. But I'm also looking forward to working with the next generation of professional leadership in what is the most challenging and exciting non-elected job in Scottish local government

Annemarie began her local government career with Glasgow District Council some 33 years ago, working as a solicitor and then senior solicitor in a team focusing on construction, housing and planning.

Following local government reorganisation in 1996, she was promoted to Chief Solicitor at the newly-established Glasgow City Council.

In 2003, Annemarie was appointed Assistant Head of Legal and Administrative Services and later spent two years on secondment as Depute Director of Social Work Services.

She returned to Corporate Services in 2007, serving as Assistant Director and later Director, before succeeding George Black as Chief Executive at the end of 2014. She was awarded an OBE for services to local government in 2022.

Friday 26 January

Your Health and Wellbeing Roadshow - Come along and get involved

Recognising the importance of our employee health, safety and well-being and to support staff further we are hosting a number of Health and Wellbeing Roadshows - and you are invited to come along and get involved.

About the Roadshows

Come along and drop into one of the roadshows at a location near you - between 2pm until 4pm on any of the dates below:

Thursday 1 February: Netherton Community and Education Centre, 358 Netherton Road G13 1AX
Thursday 15 February:Barmulloch Community and Education Centre, 46 Wallacewell Quadrant G21 3PX
Friday 1 March: Barlarnark Community and Education Centre,33 Burnmouth Road G33 4RZ

For more information Visit our health and wellbeing support at https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/workforcewellbeing

Thursday 11 January

Pay Award Update for 2023 to 2024

We advised in November 2023 that council Leaders had agreed to implement the pay offer made in September 2023. We updated our pay and grading structure, and backdated payments were made in your December 2023 pay. We also advised at that time, that elements of the pay offer were still under negotiation and any future changes would be advised in due course.

We can now confirm that COSLA has advised that they have now concluded the pay offer - which has resulted in changes to the September 2023 offer which will impact employees from Grade 4 Interim onwards (as employees at grades below this received their full increase in December 2023) as well as those in receipt of Non-Standard Working Pattern and Work Context and Demand Payments.

What this means for you

For employees on Grades 1 to Grade 4 Entry - there will be no change as your full increase was applied and paid in December 2023.
For employees from Grade 4 Interim onwards - there has been an increase from the previous offer, you can see the latest pay table on the website here.
For all staff in receipt of Non-Standard Working Pattern and Work Context and Demand Payments - these payments will be increased by 6.05% based on the 2022/2023 rates (the September 2023 offer increased them by 5.5%).

These rates are effective from 1 April 2023 and appropriate backpay (taking into account payment already made in December 2023) will be included in your pay on 6 February 2024.

The pay award is calculated based on work patterns and will be pro-rated for part-time employees.

Staff in receipt of Universal Credit - check your claim

You need to be aware that this backdated pay could affect payments. The amount you get could change if your take-home pay changes.

These benefits are calculated on your personal circumstances. Because of this we, as your employer, do not know how, or if, you may be affected. The backdated payment may mean you will either receive less credit than normal, or you may even earn too much to qualify, and your claim will close. You should therefore check with the DWP how this backdated payment affects you.

You can get independent help and advice about Universal Credit from Advice First on freephone 0800 328 5644.

You can also visit www.gov.uk/universalcredit

Further financial information and support including grants, benefits and advice is available from the Scottish Government cost of living support website athttps://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot/

If you need to chat in confidence about any financial issues you may be experiencing you can also contact PAM Assist, our Employee Assistance Provider. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on freephone 0800 247 1100 or email counsellingteam@pamassist.co.uk / info@pamwellbeing.co.uk. More details at Employee Assistance Programme - Glasgow City Council