The latest news for our employees.
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We're offering a one-off, additional opportunity to learn from the experts and improve your Microsoft Teams skills and understanding.
After a surge in coronavirus cases, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Erewash will enter 'high' Covid alert level from 12.01am on Saturday 17 October.
A recent review of annual leave balances highlighted that, on average, employees currently have between 65% and 70% of their annual leave remaining.
As time goes on during this weird period in our lives it is likely that we will all have up days when we feel really positive, and difficult days.
People in Derbyshire will soon be asked to contact NHS 111 before attending accident and emergency at their local hospital.
You will be aware that the Government has announced a new three-tier Covid alert system to help control the spread of coronavirus.
Next week is National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
This past week has seen some significant increases in the numbers of coronavirus cases across the country.
We all share a responsibility for public health.
Saturday 10 October is World Mental Health Day.
In the previous local authority where I worked, colleagues persuaded me that if I was photographed having my flu jab it would encourage others to get theirs.
Between 21 and 24 September 2020 we celebrated the launch of Microsoft Teams with a special week of online learning sessions.
If you're eligible, you can now get a brand new bike and safety equipment to the value of £3,000.
It's Stoptober and a perfect time for you to stop smoking for good.
October is Black History Month and our Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) employee network group are marking it with a virtual event on Monday 26 October 2020.
We've won the Best Council Services Team Award in the MJ Local Government Achievement Awards 2020.
In addition to using Microsoft Teams for meetings and chat, you can now request a team setup and associated SharePoint site.
New accessibility regulations came in to place for all councils recently.
We are launching a modern ways of working project
As a parting gift at the end of Teams week you are now able to install Office 365 Pro Plus on your council computer
Over the past few weeks lots of you have been taking part in team briefing sessions to discuss the results of the employee pulse survey in more detail
The Prime Minister has announced a number of measures in response to the increasing rates of coronavirus infection being seen across the country.
How Microsoft Teams supported the Community Response Unit
You may or may not have children, you may be a step-parent, a sister or brother, a grandparent, or your kids have (finally) grown up and flown the nest.
Full details of all the Teams week events with links to join the live sessions.
Anyone read anything good over the summer?
We support the police to understand the issues within Derbyshire communities and learn how we can prevent vulnerable people being drawn into terrorism.
Since March this year we've had to continually adapt to changing situations.
Services on offer in Derbyshire to help support anyone affected by suicide.
We've been shortlisted for an award by the Municipal Journal (MJ) – a magazine which covers local government issues.
You may have read that the government is expected to release plans for council reorganisation in the coming weeks.
From Monday 21 to Thursday 24 September we'll be celebrating the use of Microsoft Teams with a wide range of activities
Develop your understanding of the features, functions and benefits of Microsoft 365 tools.
An agreement has been reached between the National Employers and the relevant negotiating committees for a one year pay deal
There are some exciting opportunities for you to receive some Microsoft Teams and 365 training.
Our cleaning and caretaking service, and property design service has moved to joint venture companies we've set up with Suffolk County Council.
These past few weeks many of us have been taking opportunities to take a well-deserved break from work.
Our guidance on complying with quarantine measures following overseas travel has been updated to simplify our approach.
For many of us at this time of year, our thoughts will be turning to children returning to school.
If you have a Derbyshire.gov.uk email address you're now able to sign up to a discounted Microsoft Home Use Programme.
Due to the overwhelming success of our request for volunteers to become digital champions we're temporarily closing the registration process.
The county procurement team are keen to hear from everyone who's involved in procuring goods and services.
The new electronic document management (EDRM) system for HR documents goes live today.
Please don't be tempted to press pause on your development. Now is the time to benefit from this exciting opportunity.
We recently updated our guidance for managers in line with the changes to government guidance for those travelling outside the UK.
We're now into the summer holidays and I'm sure some of us are hoping to take a bit of a break from what has seemed at times to be a pretty relentless workload.
Settling down to write my final message before I retire next week, I've been thinking about how much has changed since I joined the county council in 1990.
There's been much talk of the resilience of our key workers, a resilient economy, the resilience shown by our communities, and resilience against infection.
As we all work on getting to grips with the practical side using Teams it's also important to think about how it can help improve the way you work.
Our Healthy Workplaces Derbyshire, Live Life Better and mental health teams have been working with Derbyshire Constabulary.
Most of you will now have Microsoft Teams installed on your PC or laptop so we're sharing some basic tips.
There's no doubt that this continues to be an uncertain time for all of us as new government guidance is regularly introduced.
Children's centre colleagues have been working hard to keep in contact and support the families in their areas.
Updated our COVID-19 HR advice for managers in line with recent changes to Government guidance and our approach to working arrangements.
With my retirement just weeks away, I've been reflecting on my working life.
We're supporting a new campaign called 'Today is the Day', which encourages smokers to stop smoking for good.
The way your employee data is retained is changing. Currently, employee files are held in a variety of ways and in different locations.
The COVID-19 infection rate is now available at local level.
I shared a personal lockdown story with everyone in Children's Services. The feedback was so positive it made me think that it was worth sharing more widely.
We've begun to roll out Microsoft Teams to all users but some of you may be wondering what you'll be able to do once it's been installed on you PC or laptop.
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in warm or hot environments increases the risk of heat stress.
We're looking for volunteers to become part of a network of digital champions who will help others discover the power of working with Microsoft 365.
Important evidence-based tips for managing working from home
We're rolling out Microsoft Teams, the chat-based workspace in Office
As we prepare to enter a new phase on the journey to recovery from coronavirus with the relaxing of some restrictions we are finding new ways of working
As part of GDPR requirements we need to relocate or retire Microsoft Access databases.
You don't need any special qualifications or skills to foster for Derbyshire.
As lockdown measures are relaxed, it's important that we assess the use of our buildings to ensure they're safe for employees and visitors to occupy.
Until now we've been able to refer symptomatic employees and their symptomatic household members for COVID-19 testing.
For many of us, the ways in which we work have changed significantly this year.
At some point in the future when the world has moved on, we will all have our stories about COVID and how it affected us and our loved ones.
It never rains but it pours – literally.
Since March this year we've faced an unprecedented situation and the huge challenges of the coronavirus outbreak have touched us all.
Tourism is a huge part of the Derbyshire economy and we'll be doing all we can to attract visitors back to our county once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Are you scam-aware? For Scams Awareness Fortnight we're asking you to learn more so you can protect yourself, family, friends and people you work with.
A message from Executive Director, Helen Jones 16 June 2020
As coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease many of you may be wondering when and if you'll be able to return to your usual place of work.
After weeks of lockdown we're now starting to see restrictions easing and new guidance allowing us to start doing some of the things we've missed and enjoy.
The employee counselling service is one of the ways that you can get support with personal or work-related problems that are impacting on your wellbeing.
A lot has changed for us all in a very short space of time!
Between 31 January and 24 April this year we asked people for their views on the future of 10 council-run care homes.
Now has never been a better time to stop. Smoking reduces your body's defence against infections – including coronavirus.
There's no doubting that coronavirus will have a profound, long-lasting effect on all our lives.
Following consultation with the recognised trade unions we have revised our Trade Union Time Off Agreement.
We've been sharing messages of kindness this week as part of mental health awareness week but it's also important to be kind to yourself.
Information about how to change payment for Busy Bees Childcare Vouchers.
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day and we're proud to say we've been ranked in the top tier of councils in the UK for our website accessibility.
Has it really only been a few short weeks since we went into lockdown?
This week we re-opened our household waste and recycling centres and Mike Ashworth has a message for those who helped make it happen.
Our team of trained mental health first aiders are available to provide confidential advice to any colleague who needs support with their mental wellbeing.
If you or someone you live with develops symptoms of coronavirus you must self-isolate by staying at home.
Our staff have been showing their Derbyshire Spirit to provide extra support for vulnerable and elderly residents during the coronavirus outbreak.
We're backing the Government's 'you are not alone' campaign to raise awareness of the support available to anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
Since the advent of coronavirus many of us find ourselves in a situation which requires a dynamic and fast-paced response.
This week we are supporting mental health awareness week and in particular, this year's theme of 'kindness'.
On Monday, the government launched a care home testing portal to allow testing for all care home staff and residents.
The guidance remains clear that colleagues should continue to work from home where they are able to do so.
On Sunday 17 May 2020 we'll be flying the rainbow flag at County Hall to mark IDAHOBIT day.
Yesterday the government made a public announcement regarding the coronavirus outbreak and outlined the next steps to be taken.
Many of us are currently working from home but it's important to let other colleagues and contacts outside the council know how and when you can be contacted.
Tomorrow we'll be commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Phishing attacks are a means to persuade you into divulging sensitive information such as credentials, or bank and credit card details.
The Derbyshire Business Centre has remained open during the pandemic and are looking to assist staff wherever possible
Follow these top tips to help keep personal and council information safe.
We've had a fantastic response from you following the launch of our Derbyshire Spirit campaign – but we want to hear from even more of you!
We're pleased to announce that Faxi Ltd are our new car share provider, with effect from 1 May 2020.
Advice to help you understand broadband speed and connectivity.
We've taken the decision not to renew the contract when it ends in May.
If you need EDRM training, or just a refresher, the records management team is holding a Skype session every Wednesday at 2pm
Thanks to all our staff who have worked tirelessly to make sure essential services continue to be delivered to the people of Derbyshire.
There may be a delay to the fund's normal response time in dealing with enquiries due to the number of staff working remotely.
Staff working from home should be aware that devices like Alexa, Siri or Google assistant may be listening in to your calls.
From Monday 30 March 2020 we're implementing the first phase of our new HR model designed to improve the support service offered to managers.
Today is No Smoking Day and it's the perfect time to quit that habit for good.
The online registration and booking system for the new fleet of electric pool cars is now available.
Our new fleet of electric pool cars have been launched and will be available to book from Monday 16 March 2020 if you are travelling from County Hall and back.
Are you having a clear out this spring? If you unearth any old, broken or unwanted electricals they could win you a cash prize.
Those of you visiting or based at County Hall this week may have already spotted the first of our new fleet of electric vehicles parked on the terrace.
As you may be aware a case of COVID-19 (also known as coronavirus) has been confirmed in Derbyshire.
Sign up to our Healthy and Well fortnightly newsletter.
As part of GDPR requirements we're having to relocate or retire Microsoft Access Databases.
We've just launched a new campaign which addresses the impact of falls amongst older people and promotes a healthy, happy, ageing lifestyle.
We're holding an event at County Hall on 3 March 2020 to look at ways we can work together with other organisations to tackle climate change.
You can look at the traffic cameras we have placed around Derbyshire.
There are still places left on our Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word courses during March.
Lots of you were extremely busy over the weekend dealing with all that Storm Ciara has thrown at the county.
You will have seen a lot in the media recently about a new strain of Coronavirus (Covid-19) which originated in Wuhan City, China.
We're implementing changes to the way you work with our HR function and how we provide HR support.
Would you like to know more about how to use Word, Excel and Outlook to make your job easier?
We want to know what you think about our plans to close or refurbish some of our care homes.
Each year the Director of Public Health produces a report into the health of Derbyshire. This year's report talks about the important issue of ageing well.
We can now confirm that Dnet, our old employee intranet, will be shut down on Thursday 13 February2020.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week Councillor Angelique Foster, has been out to meet apprentice road worker Josh Neal at his depot at Chesterfield.
If you want to find out more about road conditions when we get significant snow then just sign up to receive information to your personal email address.
Mental health issues affect one in four of us, and yet mental ill-health – and talking about it – can still carry a stigma.
Our community safety team and the police are running a drop-in session at County Hall to help employees and visitors avoid the cybercrime and stay safe online.
If you work directly with older people, disabled children and other vulnerable groups then you have until 31 January to get your free flu vaccination.
As part of our approach to bringing new talent to work for us, we are starting to plan for our 2020 apprenticeship recruitment campaign.
Action Grants support the work of community groups, clubs, charities and parish councils.
If you are undergoing a major change at work, then the 'Resilience Through Change' one-day workshop can help you.
This year's early May bank holiday is moving from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Live Life Better Derbyshire is our free service to help you improve your health and wellbeing, providing stop smoking support and weight management sessions.
We've enabled a new feature which allows you to upload a photo of yourself into your Office 365 account.
Make a healthy start to the new year with our online health and wellbeing MOT.
Locally and nationally, levels of flu in the community have been increasing and there have been a number of outbreaks in care settings, hospitals and schools
The next password cracking test will take place on 6 January 2020.
Although some of you will be taking a well-earned break and enjoying the festive period with friends and family, we know that lots of you will be at work...
We know bad weather can occasionally make travelling to work difficult and we have recently revised the adverse weather policy.
The Internet and email Acceptable Use Policy has now been merged with the Acceptable Use of Social Media Policy.
From 2 January 2020, our employees will be able to buy either a 7 day or 28 day Stagecoach Megarider ticket online using a unique 5% discount code.
If you have access to Workplace and either work within the flexitime scheme or for Call Derbyshire you will not receive a paper payslip from December 2019.
Places are available on the next Derbyshire Leadership and Management Programme starting in March 2020.
The new Digital MOT is an online risk assessment tool that can help you review your online safety and identify any actions you can take to protect yourself.
Our Derbyshire eNewsletter Issue 95, 29 November 2019.