Your PSA Delegates and Industrial Staff attended the icare JCC on 19 August 2021, and the following is a report back to members on that meeting.

1. New HR System

Again, many thanks to those members who had earlier participated in the PSA survey on the new HR system. It is clearly evident from that survey that there are a large number of issues still to be resolved with the new system.

In response to a number of issues raised by Delegates, icare management arranged for the team managing the implementation of the new system to attend the JCC.

At this time, the best the PSA can advise members is that it is clearly a work in progress and that it will still be sometime before all the issues have been resolved.

During this optimisation phase of the system the PSA strongly encourages members to raise any issues, problems or questions that they have through the service desk.

PSA Delegates have expressed a significant concern that the system inhibits members from accessing their Flexible Working Hours Agreement (FWHA) due to the way that it is currently configured.

The PSA would like to remind members that nothing in the HR system should impede your access to the FWHA and if members are experiencing difficulties with accessing their flexitime please do contact the PSA should you require any further assistance.

2. Travel Policies – Lifetime Care

Issues were raised with travel policies in place for LTC which make it exceedingly difficult for members to use their own vehicles when it is clearly more advantageous to both the business and the individual.

This is not a new issue and has been raised previously with icare, there was a commitment by icare that they would look into the policies and we expect further discussions with icare on this matter.

3. Enterprise Improvement

The JCC was provided with an overview of the Enterprise Improvement by the Acting Group Executive, People and Workplace which will be communicated to staff soon.

The main outcomes following of from the two main reviews of icare being the McDougal and PWS are:

• Culture Change
• Risk Management
• Finance
• Stakeholder Confidence

The PSA expects further consultation with icare as the Enterprise Improvements are progressively implemented.

4. COVID-19

General discussions were had around concerns for staff well-being during COVID-19. The PSA is aware that there are a number of initiatives in place to support staff (not just EAP) and we do encourage staff to engage with their Leaders should you require support.

Members are also reminded of the COVID-19 arrangements as per the Government Circular C2021-14 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19 that allow for staff to access either flexible work or special leave to support vaccinations.

There was also some discussions around the possibility of introducing Rapid Antigen Testing and again we will have further discussions with icare around this if it is to be implemented.