[UK] New unitary authority unifies four council payroll systems

In the UK, employees at Cumberland Council have all been paid through the same payroll system for the first time since the unitary authority was formed in May, Yahoo News reports.

Members of the council’s business and resources overview and scrutiny committee met on June 3 for an update on staff sickness absences.

Prior to giving her update, Jacqui Green - assistant director of human resources and organisational development - reportedly informed members of the progress that had been made in unifying the authority’s payroll system.

When the new unitary authority was formed, four different payroll systems from the former Carlisle City, Allerdale, Copeland and Cumbria County councils were inherited.

On the subject of sickness absences, Ms Green stated that there was a big focus on early intervention and staff wellbeing with an aim to identify issues early on.

According to Ms Green’s report, four separate sickness absence policies remain that managers must apply.

The report reads, “The human resources and organisational development (HROD) team have engaged with managers and are currently working with the council’s recognised trade unions to develop one policy to manage absences.

“It is expected that a new policy will be finalised in June 2025. This new approach will have a focus on prevention and wellbeing.

“This will support a reduction in the council sickness absence rate. The introduction of the policy will be facilitated by a mandatory programme of dedicated upskilling for managers to support them in their line management duties. Trade union colleagues will also be invited to attend the training.”

When questioned by councillor David Moore about whether there was a timeline for bringing the policies together, Ms Green reportedly said she was hopeful that it should be completed by the end of the month.

It was recommended and agreed that the next report, detailing further progress, be presented to the committee in six months.

Source: Yahoo News

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, employees at Cumberland Council have all been paid through the same payroll system for the first time since the unitary authority was formed in May, Yahoo News reports.

Members of the council’s business and resources overview and scrutiny committee met on June 3 for an update on staff sickness absences.

Prior to giving her update, Jacqui Green - assistant director of human resources and organisational development - reportedly informed members of the progress that had been made in unifying the authority’s payroll system.

When the new unitary authority was formed, four different payroll systems from the former Carlisle City, Allerdale, Copeland and Cumbria County councils were inherited.

On the subject of sickness absences, Ms Green stated that there was a big focus on early intervention and staff wellbeing with an aim to identify issues early on.

According to Ms Green’s report, four separate sickness absence policies remain that managers must apply.

The report reads, “The human resources and organisational development (HROD) team have engaged with managers and are currently working with the council’s recognised trade unions to develop one policy to manage absences.

“It is expected that a new policy will be finalised in June 2025. This new approach will have a focus on prevention and wellbeing.

“This will support a reduction in the council sickness absence rate. The introduction of the policy will be facilitated by a mandatory programme of dedicated upskilling for managers to support them in their line management duties. Trade union colleagues will also be invited to attend the training.”

When questioned by councillor David Moore about whether there was a timeline for bringing the policies together, Ms Green reportedly said she was hopeful that it should be completed by the end of the month.

It was recommended and agreed that the next report, detailing further progress, be presented to the committee in six months.

Source: Yahoo News

(Quotes via original reporting)