How it works
The concept
- It describes the behaviours the Council expects of each and every one of us.
- It encourages people to communicate with one another about our behaviour and to discuss the impact of that behaviour on each other by offering constructive feedback.
- It applies to everyone who works within Stirling Council.
- It gives each individual the authority to challenge others' behaviour, whether as a colleague, manager, Councillor or union official.
The card
To work, “Our Code” has to be readily accessible to everyone across the organisation. A pocket-sized concertina card that lays out our rights and responsibilities was therefore developed to carry around the information in a concise, yet meaningful way. We want this to be a tool people hold onto and use easily - not merely information to be glanced at and filed away without being digested.
The front panel of the card is yellow and the back is red. By simply displaying the card, the user can 'show the red or yellow card' (a football metaphor understood by most people) to indicate a potential issue around a person (or persons) behaviour. There is also a green panel to signal positive feedback.
The actual card itself acts as a prop to those people who find it difficult to express themselves in what might be a stressful, difficult or emotional situation. 'Showing the red card' might usefully replace an angry verbal exchange in the heat of the moment.
The card sets out the 15 rights and responsibilities It also explains the aims of “Our Code”, how it can be used, its link to Stirling Council’s “Dignity at Work” policy and how to get support if you want to use it.
