Most of the content on this intranet is made up of ex county council information due to the county intranet being turned off. Please read the blog to find out more about how we have developed this new intranet and where you can go to find information that relates to you.
Support for employees at work
Guidance on employee passport, managing stress, dyslexia, neurodiversity, counselling, wellness action plan.
Access to work
Access to Work is a grant scheme which supports people with health conditions or a disability. This includes all types of disabilities, including Mental Health conditions.
This grant may help beyond the Reasonable Adjustments provided.
This PDF outlines the Access to Work scheme and what it could offer for those who need it: Access to Work Presentation Nov 2022 (PDF)
Dyslexia
This guidance aims to provide information to managers so they can support an employee who has dyslexia to achieve their full potential.
Employee passport
This Guidance aims to provide information to managers so they can support employees who require additional support to achieve their full potential.
This scheme applies to all permanent and fixed term county council/school employees covered by the Burgundy book and Grey book.
Employee Passport Guidance (DOC 160KB)
Managing stress
Change in the workplace can cause stress, especially when an organisation goes through a period of major change that will involve redundancies.
Stress is not an illness it is a condition. However, if stress becomes excessive and prolonged an individual may get to the stage where they feel unable to cope with the pressures they are experiencing. As a consequence they may experience mental or physical symptoms.
If you start to feel that your levels of stress are getting too much, it is important that you get the help and support you need. Work-related stress is a workplace hazard and like any other hazard it is important that you report any concerns to your Line Manager as soon as possible so they are able to take any necessary actions to help to support you at an early stage.
Where you can get further information and support
Your own GP - Your own GP should be contacted if you are experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression. Besides being able to help address your symptoms they are a valuable source of help and information.
If you are struggling to cope with life pressures, you might be stressed. The Stress how to cope website explains the common symptoms and causes of stress. It also looks at some of the ways you can try to reduce stress.
You can also download their stress factsheet full of advice and resources that even has a stress diary to complete to help you identify your triggers.
The health and safety executive have listed some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate stress and a need to seek further help.
They also have a workbook aimed at Managers to support Employees with Stress
Step by Step workbook for tackling stress
Be Drinkaware by visiting this useful resource on alcohol consumption and links with stress.
Occupational Health Service
Your manager may arrange an appointment with the Council's occupational health service so they can assess your levels of stress and provide advice and guidance on the support you need and the services available to you.
Neurodiversity
The aim of this guidance is to help support managers and employees with any queries regarding neurodiversity in the workplace. We aim to promote a greater understanding of neurodiversity and seek to eradicate any discriminatory practices.
Neurodiversity is a relatively new term that many people may not yet know much about. Learning more about neurodiversity and taking steps to understand how to best support everyone in workplaces can be hugely beneficial for employers and employees.
Neurodiversity guidance (DOC 113KB)
Self referral for counselling
The Occupational Health Service operates an employee self-referral scheme for counselling.
Please note counselling can be provided to employees as an interim measure of support while the employee seeks longer term treatment and support through their GP. Once your referral has been triaged then you will be refereed to a counsellor initially for up to four sessions.
To access the scheme please read the guidance below first and then log into the eOPAS portal.
Self Referral for Counselling Portal Guidance (DOC 3.5MB)
Occupational Health Portal
If you have any difficulties please call the Occupational Health Service on 01768 812556.
Wellness action plan
Wellness Actions Plans (WAPs) are an easy, practical way of helping you to support your own mental health at work, and if you are a manager, helping you to support the mental health of your team members.
Everyone can complete a WAP, you don't need to have a mental health problem in order to feel the benefits. It just means that you already have practical steps in place to ensure you are supported when you aren't feeling great.
We have two guides available, both with a WAP template which you can fill in electronically:
- our guide for line managers is for managers or supervisors who are interested in introducing WAPs to their team members
- our guide for employees is for any member of staff who would like to try a WAP for themselves and introduce the idea of using WAPs to their manager or supervisor