Employment Relations Update(work in progress, successes, challenges and

opportunities)

Learning Reps ConferenceJanuary 2009

Josie Irwin

Head of Employment Relations

Theory …..

People who feel positive about their working environment are more likely to work efficiently and effectively

Unhealthy working environments cause alienation and often drive staff away

There is a relationship between staff and patient experience

In practice …..Employment Survey 2007 An ageing workforce - average age of a nurse

in 1987 was 33, now 42 87% think they are poorly paid compared with

other professions 4 out of 5 said workload too heavy 26% have a second job 58% work more than contracted hours 55% feel they are too busy to give the kind of

care they’d like

More reality

2007 NHS staff survey (England) Job satisfaction high 75% but only 39%

happy with the recognition they get and 22% saying effective comms between mgt & staff

Promotion of hand-washing facilities up 82% - 70 % 2005

Fewer staff working more than contracted hours 66% - 71% 2005

33% had work related stress - 36% 2005 13% had experienced violence from patients

or relatives, 12% 2005

& more reality ….. Relationship between patient & staff

experience1. Respect & dignity? + managerial support,

avail hand-washing materials – extra hours – work related stress

2. Cleanliness? + managerial support, reporting errors, avail hand-washing, h/s training – extra hours, stress, harassment

3. Overall? + managerial support, hand-wash - h/s training – extra hours

Work in progress Non-pay elements of the 3 year deal Evidence to the Review Body for 2010 Staff Council

– USH & annual leave– On-call– Mileage– Pensions

Needlestick & sharps injuries Workplace stress Support for reps

Successes Negotiations/lobbying/campaigning UK

– 3 year pay deal– Violence, lone worker safety

Lobbying in Europe– Needlestick and sharps injuries– Working Time Directive– Workforce planning

Working with employers– Partnership

Profile for prevention– RCN Work Related Violence Risk Assessment Toolkit– Working with Care– Stress standards

Challenges

Pressures on public sector spending Pensions – Choice exercise NHS Staff Council – profile and role Fragmentation - devolved administrations,

foundation trusts Plural provision of NHS Services Independent Safeguarding Authority

Opportunities Strengthen NHS Staff Council role

– Embed KSF– Strengthen and develop health & wellbeing at work

Review Body submission in Autumn Campaign for facilities agreement Europe – needlestick negotiations Robust pay & protection for staff transferring

out of the NHS

Quality workplaces = quality patient care