Fewer sick days for staff after Leicestershire County Council crackdown
The average number of sick days taken by a council's staff has fallen after a get-tough approach by management.
Two years ago full-time members of staff at Leicestershire County Council took an average of 8.8 days off during the year.
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Fewer sick days for staff after Leicestershire County Council crackdown
In the past year, the number of lost days was cut to seven.
Simon Nearney, head of human resources, at County Hall, said: "We've overhauled the system so we can keep on top of sickness and absence at all levels of the council.
"We're looking at what people can do rather than what they can't do.
"So if someone is unable to carry out their current role because of a condition we look for opportunities to change their role to get them back to work."
Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel found the public sector average for sickness absence was nearly 10 days a year, while in the private sector it was 6.4 days.
The council said it hoped to have the number at the private sector level by the end of April.
Mr Nearney said: "We're always looking to improve."
He puts the success partly down to the amount of information the council gathered on absences.
A spike in a particular kind of injury or ailment could lead to a change of equipment in an area of work, for example.
The highest sickness rates at the authority were in the adult social care department, which Mr Nearney put down to the high-pressure work involved.
Two years ago staff in the department took an average of 18 days off each in the year. The figure has been cut to 12 days.
The most common reason given by County Hall staff for absence was a viral infection, followed by digestion problems, stress and depression and muscle and joint pain.
Mr Nearney said there had been some areas of "poor practice" in completing sickness return forms.
About half of the forms did not have the specific reason for absence recorded.
He said: "Our new Oracle computer system will have a mandatory reason for absence field so we know the reason behind every sick day."
Mark Irvine, area organiser for public sector union Unison, said: "We're always glad to see any improvement in sickness absence rates because that indicates that fewer staff are suffering ill-health, stress or injury.
"We continue to support members of staff who have to take time off work due to genuine ill-health."
The figures were to be discussed by the council's employment committee today.
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by Kulgan, Crydee
Friday, September 10 2010, 3:01PM
“Ian,
I didn't know you were psychic. You now know what I am thinking.
Let me tell you. Your crystal ball is wrong.”
by Ian, Leicester
Friday, September 10 2010, 2:55PM
“But the point is that you can do that with any good news story. 'London has got the Olympics in 2012' - but why haven't they had them since 1948? Someone must have been slacking. It's easy points and based on a sketchy Mercury story, short on facts. It's 'knee jerk'. Not thought through. Too 'Mr Outraged'. And it hurts people who are working hard and whose jobs, presently, are threatened. (But I guess on principle you think there are too many of them anyway.)”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Friday, September 10 2010, 1:13PM
“Doh.
It should say "I am NOT rubbishing it as you say."”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Friday, September 10 2010, 1:12PM
“Ian,
I am rubbishing it as you say. Again, why did it need a crackdown?
I am sure that there are great managers and the not-so-great managers. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say. They have had a crackdown and the levels of absenteeism have been reduced. Why weren't the managers (as a whole) already working on this as a matter of routine?
It is a negative point I grant you, but it is a valid one.
As to positives in life, yes, there are lots to be thankful for. Family, friends (not many grant you before you say so), and far too many too list.”
by Ian, Leicester
Friday, September 10 2010, 1:05PM
“This is a story about improving the levels of absenteeism - not about levels of perpetual absenteeism. Read carefully and you'll see that the County managers agree with you. I don't need the light switching on in my head - I am one of those managers and I'm proud of what we're doing, and yet you and Kulgan feel the need to rubbish it. Doom and gloom, what a country, eh? Is there nothing bright in your lives?”