Staff News

With the onset of winter over the last couple of months, weather conditions have presented us with some significant challenges in providing our services – including travel cancellations, the closure of the Churchill Barriers or slippy road conditions.

Are you looking to expand your skillset, learn something new or even pursue an existing passion? UHI are offering Orkney Islands Council staff an opportunity to enrol in fully-funded undergraduate study options. 

For those who will be working over the break, continuing to support and protect our communities, I give my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. I hope that you too can find some time to enjoy the festivities alongside colleagues and service users.

Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your families for 2024!

Over the past few months, employees, customers, and communities have been nominating colleagues across the three categories below. Our VIP Selection Panel have been reviewing these nominations and have selected the following finalists for each category in this round

Meetings are an important tool for us across the Council. We have however had a lot of feedback saying there are too many meetings and they are not always as effective as they could be. We are therefore looking at how we can improve meetings for all of us. The focus is on officer meetings as Committee Meetings have their own governance and protocols. 

Do you have any Christmas decorations that you don't use anymore?

Inclusive Employers Week Scotland is here and is a great opportunity for us all to increase our knowledge and insight on recruiting and retaining disabled talent.

During this week the Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) are hosting a series of online information sessions and taster training to help employers across Scotland to recruit and retain disabled talent.

Two sections of the Staff Hub website have been recently updated to help you get the information and tools you need wherever you are.

We have had confirmation from COSLA of the implementation of the 2023/24 Pay Award. It is complex and aspects of the offer are still subject to the ongoing Trade Union ballot for acceptance (Unison only). This briefing is intended to help employees understand the position and what happens next.

From news reports you will possibly be aware of the significant incident that colleagues at Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar are experiencing.