Inclusive Support and Fitness
This section is for employees to access CFRS policies which directly impact their employment such as Absence Management, Workplace Complaints, Fitness Policy, and other available support systems.
Absence and Wellbeing
Sickness Absence
If you are absent from work due to sickness, you will need to complete a Self-Cert Form and send this to your line manager.
If you have an absence that lasts longer than 7 days, you will need a Fit Note from your doctor.
Self-Referral for Counselling
The Occupational Health Service operates an employee self-referral scheme for counselling.
Please note counselling can be provided to employees as an interim measure of support while the employee seeks longer term treatment and support through their GP. Once your referral has been triaged then you will be refereed to a counsellor initially for up to four sessions.
To access the scheme please read the guidance below first and then log into the eOPAS portal.
Self-Referral for Counselling Portal Guidance
If you have any difficulties please call the Occupational Health Service on 01768 812556
Employee Passport
Bereavement Support
For support and information, please head to the CFRS Wellbeing Hub (link)
Capability
The Capability Policy is designed to assist employees to meet and maintain a satisfactory level of performance when they fail to reach the required standard for reasons associated with skill, aptitude or physical or mental ability.
The below procedure covers all staff.
If you are going through Capability, we advise you to speak with your manager if you need any wellbeing support with this. Your Trade Union Rep can also be a key support during this process.
CFRS Capability Procedure - All Staff
Carers
Many employees have caring responsibilities outside of their working environment.
Carers Support Cumbria carers organisations across Cumbria that support unpaid Carers. Call Us On 08443 843230
Information for and about carers on the Adult Social Care website
Crimestoppers - Speak Up
Crimestoppers - Speak Up
We are pleased to confirm that with effect from 1 October 2023 CFRS will launch a new partnership arrangement with Crimestoppers in order to provide a safe space for any employee of CFRS to speak up if something isn’t right in the workplace.
The service is available online or via telephone 24/7, 365 days of the year. Staff can chose to remain anonymous or to share their details if they feel comfortable. Information will then be shared confidentially with a restricted number of staff within our HR Team for further internal action.
This is in addition to the existing policies we have available for staff to use such as grievance, bullying and harassment or whistleblowing. The key difference is that Crimestoppers are an independent charity giving people the power to report a crime with the protection of anonymity if so desired.
Some examples of when to use the Speak Up Service to report a crime are as follows:
- Discrimination, victimisation and harassment (on gender, sexual orientation, disability)
- Misogyny and violence
- Health and safety breaches
- Fraud and corruption
- Poor or unsafe working practices
Please look out for promotional information coming out to stations early October for SM’s to make accessible to staff within the workplace. Should you have any queries please contact the HR Team HR@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Disciplinary
For any member of staff that is involved with the Disciplinary procedure, both informal and formal, it can be a stressful process. If you need any wellbeing support, we advise you to contact your line manager (or a relevant manager), your Trade Union Rep, or speak with a colleague.
Whether you are a manager or an employee involved in the disciplinary procedure, it is advised that you read the documents below in full.
Domestic Abuse Support
For support and information, please head to the CFRS Wellbeing Hub (link)
Family Support
Below are linked some of our Family policies and procedures.
This section is being reviewed by the HR Team and will be updated as and when policies, procedures and resources are reviewed.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact HR@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Financial Wellbeing
For support and information, please head to the CFRS Wellbeing Hub (link)
Fitness and Exercise
Please see below the Fitness Policy.
The Wellbeing Team are currently reviewing the section and will update as and when further resources and guidance are produced.
If you have any queries, please contact Ollie Wright - Resourcing, Talent & Wellbeing Lead, at orlanda.wright@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Menopause
For support and information, please head to the CFRS Wellbeing Hub (link)
Mental Health Support & Managing Stress
Sexual Health
Cumbria Sexual Health service provides confidential advice and support on a range of sexual health issues. They offer testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They also provide, for free, all types of contraception including emergency contraception.
Patients can now register for an appointment via online booking (July 2021) Sexual Health Services Online Booking.
Alternatively please call the central phone line on 01228 608989 Monday to Friday 9.30 to 4pm
If you need an interpreter please call the central phone line on 01228 608989.
Support is also available on the NHS website.
Find a sexual Health Clinic in Cumbria.
Substance Misuse (previously Drugs and Alcohol)
The Substance Misuse Policy is designed to safeguard the public and employees, maintain service delivery, and support members of staff who are tackling substance misuse.
This policy stresses CFRS’s commitment to creating an environment where those employees who suffer with substance misuse are supported in dealing with their disorder and can seek advice and treatment. Support for all staff is included in the policy, at Appendix A.
Our organisation reserves the right under this policy to exercise alcohol and drug testing of its employees.
This policy covers all Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service employees.
If you have any queries, please contact your line manager directly.
Workplace Complaints
The Workplace Complaints procedure applies to all employees, both operational and corporate. It replaces the previously used Grievance and Bullying and Harassment policies.
The purpose of the new procedure is to ensure that everyone has a route to raise complaints in the workplace, whether that’s in relation to working practices or working relationships. The Service recognises that issues can arise for anyone at any time during their employment, and that whatever the issue, all parties have the right to respect, support and fairness whilst being involved in a complaint’s process.
If you are an employee wishing to raise a workforce complaint it is advised that you read the document below in full.
Workplace Complaints Procedure
We also advise getting in touch with your Trade Union Rep for support.
Trade Unions
Trade Union Recognition and Facilities Agreement
Contact a Union
Link to: Trade Union Contact Details
Industrial Action
This section is currently being reviewed by the HR Team and will update it as soon as possible.
If you have any queries about Industrial Action, we advise you to get in touch with your Trade Union Rep, or line manager.
Men's Health
Men and Mental Health
In England, around one in eight men has a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Last updated: 1 October 2021
As with many mental health statistics, it's hard to know if the figures really represent what is happening. They can only tell us about mental health problems that have been reported - many cases may go undiagnosed. This may be especially true when it comes to men's mental health.
There are other signs that might give us a better picture of the state of men's mental health:
- Three times as many men as women die by suicide.
- Men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK.
- Men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women according to the Government's national wellbeing survey.
- Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women: only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.
In addition, men are far more likely than women to go missing, sleep rough, become dependent on alcohol and use drugs frequently. Find out more about how mental health problems affect men and women differently on our statistics page.
Get Support
We're the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and we're taking a stand against suicide. That means standing against feeling shit, standing up to stereotypes, and standing together to show life is always worth living.
125 lives are lost every week to suicide. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. We exist to change this.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Know the facts and take action early.
EARLY DETECTION IS KEY.
The difference between early detection and late detection can be life and death.
Detecting prostate cancer
Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Many times, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up.
Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
Signs and symptoms
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Information and Support
Prostate information | Prostate Cancer UK
Testicular Cancer
Cancer of the testicle is 1 of the less common cancers, and tends to mostly affect men between 15 and 49 years of age.
Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in 1 of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles.
It's important to be aware of what feels normal for you. Get to know your body and see a GP if you notice any changes.
Read more about the look and feel of normal testicles, the symptoms of testicular cancer and diagnosing testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Check your pair
A How to Guide Movember - Men's Health - Testicular Cancer
Trans and Non-Binary Health
This section is currently being reviewed by the HR Team, but please see some links below for healthcare support.
Trans healthcare - info for UK based trans people — TransActual
How to find an NHS gender dysphoria clinic - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Worried about your gender identity? Advice for teenagers - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Help for mental health problems if you're LGBTQ - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
About LGBTQIA+ and mental health - Mind
Women's Health
Cervical Cancer
Cervical canceris a cancer that's found anywhere in the cervix.
The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus).
It's part of the reproductive system and is sometimes called the neck of the womb.
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).
It can often be prevented by attending cervical screening, which aims to find and treat changes to cells before they turn into cancer.
Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly. How serious it is depends on how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.
Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
· vaginal bleeding that's unusual for you - including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual
· changes to your vaginal discharge
· pain during sex
· pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis), or in your lower tummy
Cervical screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check the health of cells in the cervix. It is offered every 3 years for those aged 25 to 49, and every 5 years from the ages of 50 to 64.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer.
About 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected at an early stage.
For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP.
Breast cancer can have several symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by a doctor.
You should also see a GP if you notice any of these symptoms:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
- Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.
Find out more about thesymptoms of breast cancer.
Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women over 70 can self-refer.
Menopause
- Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.
- It can sometimes happen earlier naturally. Or for reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason. Sometimes the reason is unknown.
- Perimenopause is when you have symptoms before your periods have stopped. You reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.
- Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods. These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards.
- Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on your life, including relationships and work.
- There are things you can do to help with symptoms. There are also medicines that can replace the missing hormones and help relieve your symptoms.
A GP, nurse or pharmacist can give you advice and help with your menopause or perimenopause symptoms
Standards of Dress / Personal Appearance
The Standards of Dress/Personal Appearance policy sets out the service expectation in relation to standards of dress, uniform, personal protective equipment and personal appearance.
Every employee of CFRS should always aim to promote a positive and professional public image, in keeping with the Core code of Ethics.
This policy applies to all employees and volunteers of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.