Overview

Welcome to Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability Staff Updates Area where you will find the latest staff news and key information and advice to support you.

This dedicated service area provides important localised information and also provides health and wellbeing resources offering lots of top tips and advice to help your mental wellbeing.  

December 2021

Friday 17 December 2021

Staff briefing containing key information on how backdated pay may impact Universal Credit

Please find below a staff briefing which should be shared with all staff in your Service/ALEO - in particular non pc facing staff who are in receipt of, or applying for, Universal Credit.

It explains key information on how the award of the backdated pay due may impact this.

•  Managers' Brief - Backdated pay / universal credit impact [118kb]

November 2021

Thursday 25 November 2021

National Pay Award Process - Update for Staff

We wish to update staff on the progress of the National Pay Award negotiations being managed by COSLA.

A proposed Pay Award agreement for local government employees was reached between COSLA and the Trade Unions on 29 October this year. Following this, the Trade Unions indicated their intention to ballot their members on the terms of this agreement - this consultation process is due to end on 29 November 2021.

Therefore, at this stage, the agreement on the Pay Award for local government employees - which is set at a national level - has still to be confirmed.  

We are aware that information is circulating that suggests this back-dated pay would be made available to you in your December 2021 pay. However, please be aware that until the agreement is fully signed-off by COSLA and the Trade Unions, we are not able to begin the significant task of adjusting our pay-roll records to make payments to all our 26,000 staff.

As a result, subject to the agreement being confirmed, we do not anticipate any back-dated pay, arising from the proposed national pay award, to be paid to staff until January 2022 at the earliest.

We will keep all staff updated on this situation once more information becomes available.

October 2021

Friday 8 October 2021

The council is supporting World Mental Health Day on Sunday 10 October 2021.

Led each year in the UK by the Mental Health Foundation, World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for us to increase our awareness and understanding of mental health, and to encourage and support people to ask for help if they need it.

World Mental Health Day also helps to empower people to look after their own mental health and provide support to others.

The 10 October this year marks more than 18 months since the start of the pandemic. As we continue to move back to some form of 'normality', we are encouraging everyone to keep up their efforts to look after their mental health, to build their resilience and stay well.

Looking after your mental health

• Check out our health and wellbeing pages on the Staff Updates Webpage.
• Sign up for one of our mental wellbeing classes run by local mental health and counselling service, Lifelink. View the programme here:  Your health & wellbeing Lifelink programme [394kb].
• See our  wellbeing and inclusion calendar to [2Mb] find out how you can get involved in health, wellbeing and inclusion campaigns and activities each month.

More about the campaign

For more information visit the Mental Health Foundation World Mental Health Day campaign page or see the resources on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website.

For advice on how to look after your mental health at work or at home, the Mental Health Foundation also have various mental health information booklets available to order or download for free on their website. 

If you need help now:

• If you, or someone you know is struggling, then you should seek the advice and support of your GP.
• If you need urgent health advice out of hours when your GP practice is closed, call NHS 24 on 111 (available anytime, 24/7)
• If you, or someone you know needs URGENT HELP, phone the emergency services on 999.
• If you need to talk to someone, you can contact our Employee Assistance Provider, Workplace Options free on: 0800 247 1100.  LGBT helpline: 0800 138 8725.BME helpline: 0800 288 4950 (available 24/7)
• You can also call the Samaritans free on 116 123 (available 24/7), or click here to find out other ways of getting in touch.
• Or call Breathing Space free on 0800 83 85 87 (6pm to 2am on weekdays, 24 hours at the weekends).

The Scottish Government have also developed a site clearyourhead.scot to help us get through these times.

Wednesday 6 October 2021

Gambling awareness training sessions

October 2021

Around half of adults in Britain take part in some form of gambling without any harm being caused.

But for some people and their families, gambling harms are a serious issue, with wide-reaching consequences.

We are pleased to announce that we are working in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), funded by GambleAware, to bring you tailored training on understanding and supporting staff experiencing any negative effects of gambling. Sessions will be held on Teams.

Training will be available online and will include:

• how to identify if a person is at risk of gambling harm
• how to start the discussion with them in an open and supportive way using a screening tool
• how to spot the signs of the root cause
• what are the next steps to recommend to help them deal with gambling harm.

Our frontline staff can make a big impact by recognising and addressing problem gambling and by being well informed and understanding the support routes available to help a colleague.

Sessions last 90 minutes and are delivered on Teams

Monday 25 October, 12 to 1.30pm - register here

Friday 29 October, 12 to 1.30pm -  register here

September 2021

Thursday 30 September 2021

Please find below a list of all our free online manager training sessions for the next couple of months.

These sessions are part of our Healthy Working Lives training and are specifically developed for managers to help support their teams. They include important themes such as: Supporting and managing staff with long COVID and Returning to the workplace - supporting staff mental health.

First session starts next week so don't delay - sign up today.

To register for any of the training below, email: YourHealthandWellbeing@glasgow.gov.uk, providing your name, service, line manager's name and email address, and the title/date of the course(s) you want to attend. Places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Wednesday 22 September 2021

Please ensure the information contained within the attached briefing is cascaded TO ALL OPERATIONAL STAFF appropriately.

The attached brief provides managers and team members with a COVID-19 Guidance Update.

•  Managers' Brief [178kb]

Wednesday 8 September 2021

Over the next few months we are launching some amazing resources to help managers support their teams going forward.

This month our focus is on wellbeing online learning sessions. Sessions aim to help staff learn practical tools to deal with different scenarios or feelings they may be experiencing.

These sessions are open to all staff and we are particularly keen that front line staff, who don't have access to a computer at work, are provided the opportunity to sign up to attend.

More information is available in the  Managers' Brief [162kb].

August 2021

Monday 23 August 2021

Text message alert

GCC - NRS: Further to the latest announcements regarding the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, a managers brief has been issued with updates relevant to NRS.

•  Managers' Brief - Covid - Easing of restrictions [189kb]

Tuesday 10 August 2021

Colleagues,

We can now issue key service information to a staff member's personal mobile phone via a text message. This service will specifically allow non pc facing staff to receive information regarding Health and Safety / COVID-19 updates, job vacancies and key work-related information. Although aimed at non-pc facing staff, we would encourage all staff within Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability to sign up, allowing urgent information to be issued, for example, a winter weather warning or temporary workplace closure.

You can sign up now by clicking on the button below or visit http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/counciltax

Wednesday 4 August 2021

You are invited to attend the next BME Network meeting which will take place virtually on 30 August 2021 from 3 to 4.30 pm on Teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to hear from our guest speaker, Annemarie O'Donnell, Chief Executive on the council's position on equality and diversity - you will have the opportunity to ask questions on key issues.

Register

• To secure your place please register here.

Asking a question

• If you would like to ask Annemarie O'Donnell a question, please submit this by email in advance no later than 14 August 2021 to BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk as we are running a 'question time' system on the day to help timings.
• You should include your name and area of work in your email alongside your question or suggestion to be discussed in support of our work on equality and diversity.
• We will endeavour to discuss as many questions at the event.

For more information - read our

• Equality Outcomes/Mainstream report  
•  Workforce diversity report [112kb]

Get involved

To support the full council family - we are looking for staff to join our BME Network Steering Group. If you think you can help lead on the development of the network and support BME staff please email BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk to find our more information about what's involved.

Don't forget that if you are a BME member of staff you are invited to join our council BME Network - currently at 98 members. The Network is a fantastic way to contribute and benefit from diversity discussions, raise any concerns you may have and get involved in local events. Join us by emailing BMENetwork@glasgow.gov.uk

Tuesday 3 August 2021

As you may be aware, from 1 August 2021, City Parking transferred to Glasgow City Council under Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS). I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome our new colleagues to the Service.

Bringing City Parking into NRS will allow us to better meet the council's priorities and the needs of the city. Willie Taggart will continue to lead parking services as Head of City Parking and Enforcement, working as part of the NRS Senior Management Team.  

If you have any questions please drop me an email at AskGeorge.nrs@glasgow.gov.uk, I would be pleased to hear from you.

George

June 2021

Friday 11 June 2021

Following the recent establishment of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability, the Leadership Team has approved the development of an Internal Communication and Engagement Strategy for the newly formed service.

This strategy will set out how we will ensure that all members of staff receive effective and timely communications. It will also implement communication channels that will ensure all employees can easily engage with colleagues across the new service and contribute ideas on how we continue to improve those services that we deliver for the citizens of Glasgow.

We want staff to contribute to the development of the new strategy and representatives are now being sought from across NRS to join a working group.

The group will meet every four weeks between now and the end of September and involve members contributing their ideas and suggestions and working with colleagues from across the service.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 25 June 2021.  For further information on the above opportunity, please contact Sean Hanlon on 07552212479 or e-mail Sean.Hanlon@glasgow.gov.uk

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please seek approval from your line manager. Once this has been agreed, please forward the following details to NRSCommunications@glasgow.gov.uk

• Name
• Job Title
• Division
• Line Manager

Thursday 3 June 2021

Welcome to our latest edition of our Service Newsletter.

In the last edition we promised to take a closer look in future editions at areas within Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability (NRS). There can be a tendency to lose sight of the immense and valuable range of services NRS provide to those who live, work and visit our city.

In this edition we take a look at Sustainability - an appropriate choice in this COP26 year.  We also have our usual selection of articles showing work and achievements across the Service - a source of my continuing pride.

•  The Loop - June 2021 Newsletter [2Mb]

May 2021

Tuesday 25 May 2021

We have all been working hard during the last year and coping with the challenges it has brought.

In particular our frontline workers have continued to deliver critical services to our most vulnerable citizens during the pandemic - even though life has not been normal for any of us.

Looking after your own mental wellbeing is really important and even as restrictions begin to lift, we know that many of you are continuing to experience high levels of anxiety and stress - this is a normal reaction.

Support

'Time for You' is a new online and virtual mental health support service being provided by SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and (LLTTF) Living Life to the Full.

It provides free mental health and wellbeing support to all frontline workers across Scotland.

There are three different levels available to you - ranging from self-help, one to one support and also virtual therapy support.       

There is also a Wellbeing Assessment Tool that you can use to work out what level of symptoms you may be experiencing to help you access the right support for a chat.

Take 'time for you'

We encourage our front line staff to visit the site and benefit from the support on offer.

So why not take some 'time for you' and make looking after your own health and mental wellbeing a priority. Visit www.samh.org.uk/timeforyou

If you need help right now

If you feel you are struggling and need to talk to someone urgently about how you are feeling - there are lots of places you can turn to for a confidential chat and advice. Visit our staff health and wellbeing help right now support page for more details.

Tuesday 18 May 2021

Message from Executive Director

Colleagues,

I feel it is appropriate to highlight the exceptional work undertaken by our service in response to the impact of the disorder in George Square and surrounding areas on Saturday.

Before the photographs appeared on social media Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability were already geared up for the task at hand.

I would like to pay tribute and express my heartfelt gratitude to our Nightshift Operations, Cleansing, Roads, Parks and Technical Services staff; supported by the Glasgow Operations Centre and Community Enforcement Officers, who as soon as practically possible were on site to commence the monumental task of restoring the area to a semblance of normality.  This work continued into Monday.

Once again, NRS employees exhibited resilience and commitment to their roles and I would like to thank you all for your efforts.

George Gillespie

March 2021

Thursday 4 March 2021

Annual Leave

We know that we currently cannot take trips away - however, it's never been more important for your own health and wellbeing to take some quality downtime away from your work. We are therefore encouraging all staff to adhere to the annual leave terms detailed in our Conditions of Service - Leave, and ask you to plan your leave proportionately across the year. If you have any queries please speak to your line manager in the first instance.

•  Annual Leave Poster [96kb]

February 2021

Thursday 25 February 2021

Job evaluation update - message from Chief Executive February 2021

I want to give you an update about the job evaluation process and a new pay and grading scheme for the council.

As you may recall, the job evaluation process in the council involves evaluating each job to make sure it is fairly ranked. The rank order of jobs will then support the work to design a new pay and grading scheme, which will be a separate project, and make sure that everyone is paid equally for equal work. 

We had originally planned to deliver this evaluation work, with your support through the many job interviews that would need to take place, and a new pay and grading scheme by April 2021. This timescale is no longer possible because of the pandemic. Determining the exact implementation timescale for the rank order of jobs and the subsequent new pay and grading scheme is a key part of this work.

A report has been prepared to update the council's General Purposes City Policy Committee and I want to explain what this means for everyone.

You can read the full report on the council's website here.

When the pandemic struck last year, our efforts were focused on keeping our most essential services running, supporting our most vulnerable citizens and educating our children and young people. This meant that all our resources including our dedicated staff and IT equipment had to be prioritised to where they were needed most, to deal with the devastating effects on the people and businesses of Glasgow.

Quite understandably, the job evaluation process was affected by the prioritisation of our resources, as were many other areas of the council. Our staff have been at the heart of supporting the city through this pandemic and still are, as we grapple with the effects of this new variant. It just wouldn't have been possible earlier in this pandemic, to take your focus away from doing the critical jobs you do, to ask you to do something more than you were already doing.

That said, the council is committed to making sure that everyone is paid equally for work of equal value, so we want to commence with remainder of the job evaluation process and ask staff to once again volunteer for interviews.

The health and safety of our workforce is paramount as we continue to follow government guidance to stop the spread of the virus. As our IT capability to support remote interviews has grown over the last few months with the roll-out of new computers and MS Teams, we will initially start with remote interviews and staff briefings on Teams.

We are working with the trade unions to agree the finer details and support for staff for this new way forward. We anticipate that we will start asking for volunteers who are able to do remote interviews in March.

We recognise that not everyone will have the IT equipment or the skills to take part in remote interviews. Staff who can't attend a remote interview, even with support, will not be disadvantaged. Part of our planning is also looking at safe ways to interview staff in person, following the latest government guidance, and workplace risk assessments and individual risk assessments, if required.

Remember, much of this process involves your participation in the interviews, it's critical that you're able to get involved and tell the Job Evaluation Team what you do to deliver the services the city relies on every day. All you'll be asked to do is talk about your job and what you do.

Before the pandemic, the job evaluation team working alongside the trade unions, had made considerable progress on agreeing a lot of the technical details on how the job evaluation scheme would be applied across the council family and identifying which jobs would be evaluated first.

The result of this work was that many staff volunteered to attend the information briefing sessions and interviews about the work they do for the city. You'll find more information about the job evaluation scheme and the progress made on the website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/jobevaluation.

Every job will be evaluated but we won't have to interview everyone in the council. The employee briefing you received in 2019 explains how we will identify people for interviews to represent the vast amount of jobs the council does.

I hope this provides you with an overview of our current plans and we will keep you updated about future decisions on timescales for the new pay and grading scheme.

More detailed information will be provided to the next groups of staff who will be asked to volunteer for interviews and information about next steps will also be provided to staff who have already been interviewed.

If you have any questions you can check the frequently asked questions on the website or email the job evaluation team at JE-SUPPORT@glasgow.gov.uk, or ask your line manager to submit your question.

As always, you can also email me at AnneMarie@glasgow.gov.uk

All communications will be added to the council's website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/jobevaluation

Friday 19 February 2021

Text message alert

GCC - NS: FACTS; Face coverings, Avoid crowded places, Clean hands regularly, Two metre distancing, Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms. If you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19; a persistent cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell do not come to work. You must stay home and book a test. Opt out? Reply STOP.

Tuesday 16 February 2021

Text message alert

GCC - NS: GCC STAFF UPDATES: To view internal council job vacancies you must use this link: https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/glasgow/jobs?type=internal,external&page=2

March 2020

Monday 30 March 2020

Message from George Gillespie, Executive Director Neighbourhoods and Sustainability