Calderdale Council has scored a hat-trick in the shortlist for some prestigious national workforce awards, becoming a finalist in three categories.
TheLocal Government Chronicle (LGC) Workforce Awards recognise best practice in the workplace, all over the country. Finalists demonstrate how projects have come together and how challenges have been overcome to make difference in their area.
Calderdale Council has been shortlisted for:
- Best next generation employer
- Equality, diversity and inclusion champion
- Best wellbeing innovation
Best next generation employer
In October 2023, the Council welcomed five new graduates through the Local Government Association’s flagship National Graduate Development Programme. Recruiting these graduates in difficult times highlights the Council’s commitment to nurturing talent, and the value it places on the contribution that young people make to its workforce and priorities.
Its work on early careers, including apprenticeships, work experience, internships and graduate programmes, is a key part of its Workforce Strategy to be an inclusive employer of choice, to have a workforce for the future and to develop future leaders.
The graduates are working on high-profile projects for the Council, including the Local Plan, the Year of Culture and the Workforce Wellbeing Programme. They are working across different services, with plenty of opportunities to develop their understanding of the public sector. They are showing amazing talent, energy, innovation and professionalism and achieving great results, having taken a big step from education to working in such a varied local government organisation.
Equality, diversity and inclusion champion
Nicky Everett, People Development Advisor in the Council’s Human Resources and Organisational Development service, is up for this award thanks to her unwavering dedication to building a fair and inclusive workplace. She embodies the Council’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion every day.
Described as a ‘true ally’, Nicky works with staff across the Council to develop and deliver training on equality, diversity and inclusion. She has been instrumental in creating staff networks representing race equality, disability, LGBTQIA+, women, working carers and early careers, giving people a voice in Council decisions and policies that affect staff and local communities.
Nicky uses data and engagement with staff to drive change, and her work has led to an increase in the diversity of the Council’s workforce, and greater employee satisfaction with the Council’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Best wellbeing innovation
The Council values the health and wellbeing of its workforce and communities. Having listened to staff about the support they needed, it developed a Workforce Wellbeing Programme to help them through the challenging times they are experiencing. Staff absence rates have significantly reduced since 2018.
Examples include setting up a Wellbeing Board, creating a Wellbeing Strategy, developing training programmes and an annual staff wellbeing event, and providing access to support such as counselling that enables staff to continue
to work or return to work.
The Council’s most recent staff survey results show that employees truly believe their health and wellbeing is valued, and that they can seek support when needed.
Cllr Silvia Dacre, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“As one of the biggest employers in Calderdale, we want all our staff to be able to achieve their full potential here, whoever they are and whatever their starting point. We are committed to nurturing talent and building our future workforce and leadership. We care about our staff, and this leads to better services for local people.
“Achieving an incredible three positions in the shortlist for the LGC Workforce Awards is national recognition that the Council is a great place to work and has outstanding staff. In line with our Vision 2024 for Calderdale, we are an enterprising, talented and kind organisation.”
The LGC Workforce Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony in Liverpool on 5 November 2024.
Calderdale reached its 50th anniversary on 1 April 2024. This is the ultimate year for the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. Find out more about it here: www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
ENDS