How we connect
At Warwickshire, we believe it’s important to keep in touch and share information, so we enable colleagues to connect with one another and the wider organisation.
Your team will have their own way of communicating and connecting with one another. When you join you will also find out more about our internal publications and the regular updates from our senior leadership team. In the meantime, you can read our latest news or sign up to our newsletter Warwickshire Weekly News.
Other ways of connecting with colleagues:
Employee Forums
Each of our Directorates has an employee forum, which includes a volunteer Chair and several representatives from various teams within that specific Directorate. The individuals in the forums do this in addition to their main role in WCC, to make sure that the voices of our people, across the entire organisation, are heard on local and whole organisational priorities.
The forums discuss issues, identify solutions and explore ideas relating to concerns that affect WCC employees, working environments and wellbeing.
Inclusivity and Networks
We recognise the power of colleague-led networks to improve the wellbeing of our employees, and the culture of our organisation. We know that the people who work for us are our greatest asset and when they feel valued, included, safe and supported, this positivity reaches the people we are here for. Such groups provide members with the opportunity to support one another, connect, and discuss prevalent issues and enact change.
Our networks are run by employees for employees, with administrative support from the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team. The aim is for members to own and develop their networks, set their aims and agendas, and work towards these goals.
Our networks:
- Carers Network
- Christian Network
- Cultural Network
- GEM (Global Ethnic Majority) Network
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Widows/Widowers Network
- Women’s Network
Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at WCC.
Yammer
Is a collaboration tool that helps you connect and engage with colleagues across the Council. You can start conversations, share knowledge, and build communities. Some of our WCC Yammer communities include a film group, book club, gardening, arts and crafts, crochet and many more!
Engagement
We want to make sure that our people have a voice, and our managers/leaders are focusing, coaching and encouraging their people to develop. We want to communicate and engage with colleagues regularly about where the authority is going. In practice this means doing the following:
- Holding regular 1:1s or supervision sessions with your manager
- Awards including the STAR awards
- Regular briefings and updates from the senior leadership team and chief executive of the Council
- Having regular team communications and face-to-face contact for agile working teams
Everyone has their own experiences and their own stories, so we know it’s important that we take the time to listen to these to help create the best possible experience for our colleagues at WCC.
We want you to understand that action will be taken in response to the things you tell us. Employees are encouraged to take part in frequent ‘Your Say’ staff surveys to understand engagement levels of colleagues across WCC, providing valuable data to improve the way we work as a Council.
Trade Unions
Although employees may choose whether to join a trade union, the Council encourages membership of recognised trades unions. The trade union may then represent you on individual matters such as grievances or disciplinary hearings. However, only those trades unions which are recognised by the Council will be able to represent you on those matters that are decided collectively.