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Survey highlights ‘exemplary’ council staff response to Covid-19





Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson.

Staff at Highland Council have been praised for their "amazing response" to the coronavirus crisis.

Council leader Margaret Davidson was speaking as she welcomed the findings of an employee engagement wellbeing survey conducted during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Councillors will be given details at a meeting on Thursday.

“I warmly commend Highland Council staff for the amazing response that they have provided in supporting our communities over the past three months," Councillor Davidson said.

“The report that will be brought before councillors will highlight a very impressive response rate of 44 per cent to the survey that staff took part in during a very difficult and busy time – that is higher than any previous survey response rates.

“Staff have shown that they have risen to the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic in an exemplary manner.”

The aims of the survey were to carry out a welfare check of all employees; check the effectiveness of corporate communication; check levels of confidence in the council’s leadership approach; understand barriers to effective home working; and capture lessons learned, both positive and negative.

High proportions of employees agreed, or strongly agreed, that during the pandemic they:

  • Have been kept up to date and feel well informed regarding the council’s response (74 per cent).
  • Know where to find updated information on their working arrangements (64 per cent).
  • Know who to talk to if they need support (80 per cent).
  • Know what they need to do to keep safe and healthy during Covid-19 (94 per cent).
  • Know where to access advice on mental health issues (90 per cent).

Employees also responded that they were pleased with how colleagues had demonstrated flexibility in the way they got the job done while showing caring attitudes.


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