Welcome to Team Brief

For anyone who's recently become a manager or who needs a refresher, this is Team Brief - a newsletter for managers with messages for you to cascade to your teams. How you do this is up to you, but wherever possible I'd encourage you to go through the key information in person at your regular team meetings.

It's the time for mid-year reviews, so make sure you book time in with your staff now and remember you can refresh your appraisal skills with the guidance on ForestHub (see the article below for more information). 

Our 2022 staff survey is launching next week and we will be asking all staff to fill it out, so I'd be grateful if you could factor this in and allow your team members to take the time to share their feedback. The staff survey is vital for us to understand our workforce, their priorities and concerns, what's working well and what needs to change. 

Lastly, please talk to your staff about the flu jab this year and the importance of getting vaccinated. We're bringing the clinics to various workplaces around the borough so it's easier than ever before to get your jab. Let's give each other and our residents one less thing to worry about this winter.

Many thanks

Martin

Mid-year reviews

We are now half way through the appraisal year, meaning all managers should now book in time with their direct reports to hold mid-year reviews.

Mid-year reviews are an opportunity to check in and see how staff are fulfilling their objectives, raise any areas for improvement and discuss wellbeing and training opportunities.

All mid-year review discussions must have taken place by mid November. You can find guidance on Mid-Year Reviews and how to use Clear Review on ForestHub.

If you have any queries please email Organisational Development.

Prepare for the staff survey

On Tuesday (18 October) we will be launching our 2022 staff survey, which we want all staff to complete. 

We will be monitoring take up by directorate so please encourage your teams to complete the survey and if necessary allow them to take the time to fill it in as part of their work day. The survey should take ten to fifteen minutes to complete.

Staying protected from the flu

All staff can now claim their free flu jab to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe this winter and we want to encourage as many of our people as possible to take up this offer and get vaccinated.

Throughout October and November there are a number of clinics available, at locations including the Town Hall, Low Hall Depot, Hale End Library and Leytonstone Library. Staff can book a flu jab online, choosing a date and time to suit them. 

Managers are asked to please be accommodating and allow your team members to take the time to get the vaccine.

Free staff flu jab information

Volunteering Week

Sign ups for the latest Volunteering Week (Monday 17-Friday 21 October) are now open so please do encourage your teams to get involved. All staff are entitled to up to four volunteering days per year and it's a great opportunity to do something different, meet new people, help local organisations and improve wellbeing by giving back.

Volunteering Week

Nominate a colleague today

We have received over 270 nominations so far for the Pride of Waltham Forest Staff Awards, which is fantastic, but there's still time for more! Read more about the categories at the link below.

Pride of Waltham Forest Awards

Big Conversation

The Big Conversation is an open and honest meeting to help us gather the views of staff and allow them to share their experiences around the conversation topics aligned to our Be Proudly You Diversity and Inclusion eLearning course which your team members should at least have now started.

The closing date for submission has been extended to allow more managers to respond. It’s really important that we keep these conversations going as the responses from your teams will be collated and analysed to gather insights about how staff are feeling and what we can do together to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of the culture we are building.

If you are yet to respond or hold your Big Conversation we are allowing responses to be submitted up until Friday 21 October.

Thank you to those who have already taken part in the Big Conversation.

A discussion with Peter Ashan

Friday 28 October, 1-2pm

Following the success of his first event earlier this month, local historian Peter Ashan will return to the Town Hall on Friday 28 October, 1-2pm, for another educational discussion on East London's Black histories. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.