Bid to reduce age of workforce at Sheffield Council will see hundreds of staff leave

Council officers said it was planning a ‘corporate management employee reduction’ programme aimed at facilitating the departure of around 300 members of staff who wished to leave.

The figure equates to around 240 full-time jobs and it is expected to save around £4 million.

Around 100 of the lost posts will be replaced by new apprentice roles.

It was reported in a council document on the forthcoming budget ahead of an overview and scrutiny management committee meeting next week.

In the report, officers said: “The aim is to reduce the age profile of the council’s workforce, mitigating the risk of a large number of retirements over a short time period in a few year’s time. The replacement apprentice posts will provide new job opportunities for younger people.”

They added: “We recognise the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on our workforce, this includes many staff in frontline roles, supporting people and families in most need of help. During the pandemic, many employees have wanted to move into roles where they could be of most help to communities. For others, the coronavirus has meant long hours and an impact on work and home life balance.

“In all portfolios the budget proposals include some reduction on staffing budgets. The reductions arise from proposals to manage or deliver services in a different way…The aim of the scheme is to deliver savings but also facilitate the council’s wider workforce plan.”

The council faces an overall funding gap of £72 million over the next few years