What you tell us really does matter

With the closing date for this year’s employee survey on Leadership, Management and Communication extended from Friday (March 14) to next Monday (March 17) I thought it would be worth outlining how the various methods of feedback we receive from staff all help to improve what the council does.

Whether it’s formal feedback like this survey or more informal feedback gleaned from meeting with employees either at planned events or ad hoc visits, it can all help to influence decision making. Sometimes discussions among myself and directors will throw up feedback from staff, in other instances we play a lead role in signing off on council plans, strategies and policies, and having that input from employees – whether it’s a quick comment made at a Challenge Management event or a key statistic derived from an employee survey – it all helps to build up a picture of where we are and how we can best arrive at new goals.

Essentially, what happens in terms of decision making at the council is that strategic direction is set by our politicians with the support of officers by way of formal reports, and the operations of the council and how we deliver those priorities set by politicians are led by myself alongside the four service directors. I have discussions with service directors on a daily basis, with a more formal meeting each week. The information in our sphere helps to shape those decisions we make.

For example, we recently discussed health and safety training and the need to invest in this area to meet legal obligations and ensure our working practices are as safe as possible. Some time ago I spent time with housing repairs staff and that discussion helped inform the prioritisation of this health and safety training we were discussing at a strategic level.

I know that we are not always as effective as we could be at communicating the changes brought forward through employee feedback and I hope staff still realise the importance of taking part in surveys such as that available at the moment. Your opinion really is important but you have to make your voice heard in order for it to make a difference to what we do.

Take part now at www.ibp.eu.com/employeesurvey