Key messages - 22 April 2024

Communications using non-corporate channels 

• We live in a fast-paced digital world where technology is constantly evolving and presenting us with fantastic opportunities to improve how we work and deliver better services to the people of Lancashire.
• Making the most of these opportunities is a key priority for us at the same time as protecting ourselves by following the latest guidance available.
• We received recent guidance from the Information Commissioners Office that makes it clear that communications relating to council
business on non-corporate channels such as WhatsApp, Signal, social media channels or private emails are disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) (FOIA).
• In light of this, you are advised not to use non-corporate channels for council business.
• It is also advised that any messages relating to council business sent using non-corporate channels must be transferred to corporate channels for storage.
• Detailed information on communications on non-corporate channels can be found on the ICO website.
• You can also contact the information governance team if you have questions or concerns by emailing informationgovernance@lancashire.gov.uk

Managing sickness absence correctly 

• We would like to remind managers to please make sure that all team absences are recorded and managed correctly.
• This includes closing the absence on Oracle once the person has returned to work.
• This helps to give us an accurate picture of absence levels across the organisation and also ensures that people are paid correctly.
• Also, as part of your duty of care, it is strongly advised that you conduct a return to work interview at your earliest convenience. This is to ensure a smooth transition back to the workplace for staff who have had to take a leave of absence.

Team Lancashire Facebook group survey

• Our Communications Team set up the Team Lancashire Facebook Group in 2020 and since then the group has grown in popularity with
over 2000 active members.
• You use the group for a variety of reasons, and we are now asking members of the group to share thoughts and views on how and what the group is used for going forward.
• The survey is open to all members until 5pm on Friday 26 April, and can be found on the Microsoft Forms website.
• The feedback from this survey is anonymous and should only take a few minutes to complete. 

Adjusting the frequency of key messages 

• We have reviewed the regularity of key messages to ensure timely communications and reduce duplication.
• Starting this week, we will move to fortnightly updates alternating these with the newsletters you already receive from EMT.
• We will continue to send these as before, firstly to senior leaders for them to share with their teams and then through Staff News.
• Our next update will be sent on Friday 3 May 2024.