Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Item 4

5 December 2001

Additional Information re Officer Workloads/FDS Cover

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

John Bonney

Deputy Chief Fire Officer

Tel: 023 8064 4000 ext 207

1.

Introduction

At the Personnel Committee on 14 November 2001, members agreed the recommendations that 4 additional Divisional Officer posts be provided and that 6 42-hour Station Officer posts be regraded to the flexible duty system. At the same time, members specifically requested that several issues arising from the debate surrounding the proposals should be submitted to the full Fire Authority in further support of the recommendations.

2.

Additional Information

2.1

Since 1997 the number of flexible duty system officers in the Service has been reduced by 11 posts, whilst the corresponding workloads resulting from new Health & Safety Regulations, European Directives, Best Value regime and a proliferating inspection regime have increased enormously. As a result flexible duty system officers who, on top of their managerial duties, have an out of hours operational commitment, are under significant pressure. Indeed a number of officers have recently been on sick leave with stress related illness which may be attributable to these workloads. Divisional Officers in particular are working well beyond what could reasonably be expected of them.

2.2

In view of those mounting concerns, a review of workloads was carried out which highlighted that the cumulative total of additional hours worked by flexible duty system officers was equivalent to 3 additional posts.

2.3

However, it should be made clear that officers recognise the inevitable need to work extended hours and as a result have shown considerable flexibility. Indeed, goodwill has been a feature of industrial relations within the officer core, with them willing to work on rota days and show considerable flexiblity to achieve effective operational and managerial cover (on occasions this can mean an officer working 8 continuous duty days without a rota leave break). However, the goodwill has been stretched to breaking point with some officers now stating that they only wish to work their contracted hours. This will have an effect on operational officer cover, especially where officers have in the past covered sickness absence at very short notice.

2.4

Officer workloads is now a serious issue that needs to be addressed so as to secure the health, safety and welfare of our valuable staff. If action is not taken, it could mean the CFA in future receiving claims from staff who have been medically retired through 'stress related injuries', particularly as this issue is now a matter of public record. Recent case history shows that these claims can be significant and substantial and it would be financially and morally prudent to avoid them at all costs.

3

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

3.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Recommendations to the Authority:

That the Report be noted.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

None

NB The list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

File name [HFRA 5 Dec 01 - Additional Info re Officer Workloads.doc]