Frequently asked questions about human resources

Find out answers to the most common questions we get asked about our human resources department (Freedom of Information).

Contracts

How many staff have been employed on relief contracts?

2020/21 - 269
2019/20 - 268
2018/19 - 220
2017/18 - 437
2016/17 - 492

Disciplinary cases

What was the total number of council employees suspended on full pay and the total amount they were paid? What was the reason for suspension in each case?

Disciplinary cases
	Sections include	Reasons include
2020/21 15 employees suspended Total amount paid: £218,432.21	Social Services Education Place	Inappropriate conduct in the workplace Breach of trust and confidence Failure to follow professional code of conduct Criminal conduct outside of the workplace Theft Breach of health and safety Using council property for private use Conduct that adversely impacts an employee suitability to carry out their role Falsification of authority documents
2019/20	TBC	TBC
2018/19 8 employees suspended Total amount paid - £7,6231.86	Social Services Education Place	Inappropriate conduct in the workplace Unauthorised absence Failure to follow policies and procedures
2017/18 19 employees suspended Total amount paid - £234,793.68	Social services Education Resources Waste management Economic regeneration and planning Housing and public protection Catering and cleaning Highways and transportation	Inappropriate conduct in the workplace Criminal conduct outside the workplace Alleged theft Failure to follow policies and procedures Violation of health and safety Safeguarding concerns
2016/17 30 employees suspended Total amount paid - £221,054.33	Cultural services Corporate building services Highways and transportation Waste management Economic regeneration and planning Education Social services Resources	Inappropriate conduct in the workplace Criminal conduct outside the workplace Inappropriate comments on social media Failure to follow policies and procedures Alleged theft

How many suspended employees subsequently returned?

2020/21 - 4 (there are 6 ongoing investigations)
2019/20 - TBC
2018/19 - 4 (there are ongoing investigations)
2017/18 - 8 (there are ongoing investigations)
2016/17 - 9

It should be noted that suspension is not deemed as a disciplinary sanction and employees are not suspended as a matter of course. Due consideration of the necessity to suspend is taken and reviewed throughout the process to ensure that there is a continued need for suspension. Suspension is always considered as a last resort and handled with tact and sensitivity. If no purpose would be served in suspending the employee, then suspension will not be appropriate. An employee who is suspended will receive his /her normal / average pay. It will be unusual to suspend an employee who is unfit for work at the time suspension is considered. In circumstances where an employee is suspended whilst receiving less than full pay (or no pay) under the terms of his/her contract of employment, the reduced level of payment will be paid during the period of suspension.

Employer equality data

Gender pay gap reporting

Pensions

Information about pensions and fund investments can be found at: Annual report and accounts (City and County of Swansea Pension Fund)

Recruitment

How many staff were appointed during the following periods?

2020/21 - 817
2019/20 - 865
2018/19 - 649
2017/18 - 847
2016/17 - 750

How much has the council spent on the external advertising of job vacancies during the following periods?

2020/21 - £39,548.15
2019/20 - £7,412.34
2018/19 - £26,649
2017/18 - £46,381
2016/17 - £31,596

Salaries

Details of salaries can be found in the pay policy: available on Council policy search

Council policies relating to pay can be found in the Council policy search

Sick leave

How many working days were lost to staff sickness per full-time equivalent (FTE)? What were the main 3 reasons given as reasons for sickness?

2020/21
82,955.87 - top 3 reason include stress, coronavirus, hospitalisation

2019/20
83,461.5 - top 3 reason include stress, hospitalisation, back injury

2018/19
94,673.45 - top 3 reason include stress, hospitalisation, back injury

2017/18
86,769.50 - top 3 reasons include stress, hospitalisation, back injury

2016/17
83,487.50 - top 3 reasons include stress, hospitalisation, stomach complaints

Staff/senior staff

How many staff are employed by the council?

As at 31 Mar 2021 - total - 10,937

Non schools - 6045
Schools - 4892

As at 31 Mar 2020 - total - 10,954

Non schools - 6062
Schools - 4892

As at 31 March 2019 - total of 11,053

Non schools - 6158
Schools - 4895

As at 31 March 2018 - total of 11,232

Non schools - 6509
Schools - 4723

As at end September 2017 - total of 11,044

Non schools - 6499
Schools - 4545

The structure of the leadership team of the council: Who are we and what do we do

Schools

How many days lost to ill health? How many staff retired? How many staff have been dismissed?

School staff
Year	Days lost to ill health	Number of staff retired	Number of staff dismissed
2020/21	29,236.65	38	4
2019/20	29,211.53	39	20
2018/19	31,251.73	43	10
2017/18	33,352.75	69	9
2016/17	29,036.75	71	11

The figures are for teaching and ancillary staff (including teaching assistants and admin staff).

Gender pay gap reporting

We are required to analyse our workforce data to understand whether there is a gender pay gap under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) regulations 2017 for employers with 250 employees or more, based on a 'snapshot date'.