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31/01/2003
Minister voices concern over civil service sickness
NIO Minister Ian Pearson has expressed his "concern" over sickness levels in Northern Ireland's civil service.
The Minister’s comments came as a reaction to a report published by the Civil Service which analysed sickness absence within departments across Northern Ireland during 2001/2002.
The report reveals that during the financial year there was a sickness absence rate per staff year of 15.1 days. More than 35% of staff had no sick leave during this period. The vast majority of working days lost (76.9%) say the department, were due to a relatively small proportion of staff (14.6%) with nearly a quarter of working days lost being due to psychiatric or psychological illnesses.
“It is recognised that the last two to three years have been a period of major change and upheaval for staff in Northern Ireland departments. Nonetheless the current levels of sickness absence are a cause of major concern and a range of departmental and corporate initiatives have been devised and are being implemented to address it," he said.
"Government sees sickness absence in the workplace as a priority issue for a number of reasons. Poor attendance can lead to reduced productivity and efficiency, which in turn will reflect upon the service provided to the public. There is also the knock-on effect of extra tasks having to be placed on the remaining staff, which creates obvious additional pressures for them.”
He said the report would be of "major benefit" in attempting to identify sickness patterns and their causes and in helping to devise strategies to address the problem.
The report is a statistical tracking of absences to help departments identify patterns or trends and development procedures.
(GMcG)
The Minister’s comments came as a reaction to a report published by the Civil Service which analysed sickness absence within departments across Northern Ireland during 2001/2002.
The report reveals that during the financial year there was a sickness absence rate per staff year of 15.1 days. More than 35% of staff had no sick leave during this period. The vast majority of working days lost (76.9%) say the department, were due to a relatively small proportion of staff (14.6%) with nearly a quarter of working days lost being due to psychiatric or psychological illnesses.
“It is recognised that the last two to three years have been a period of major change and upheaval for staff in Northern Ireland departments. Nonetheless the current levels of sickness absence are a cause of major concern and a range of departmental and corporate initiatives have been devised and are being implemented to address it," he said.
"Government sees sickness absence in the workplace as a priority issue for a number of reasons. Poor attendance can lead to reduced productivity and efficiency, which in turn will reflect upon the service provided to the public. There is also the knock-on effect of extra tasks having to be placed on the remaining staff, which creates obvious additional pressures for them.”
He said the report would be of "major benefit" in attempting to identify sickness patterns and their causes and in helping to devise strategies to address the problem.
The report is a statistical tracking of absences to help departments identify patterns or trends and development procedures.
(GMcG)
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The cost of sickness absence across the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the health and education sectors was estimated at £149 million in 2010-11 - £30 million for the Civil Service, £73 million for health trusts and £46 million for the education sector, according to the Audit Office.
28 September 2007
Robinson Pledges Action On Civil Service Sickness
Finance Minister Peter Robinson has pledged his commitment to improving attendance within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It comes after a report was published detailing sickness absence of staff that revealed bsences had cost the taxpayer approximately £25 million in the last financial year.
Robinson Pledges Action On Civil Service Sickness
Finance Minister Peter Robinson has pledged his commitment to improving attendance within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It comes after a report was published detailing sickness absence of staff that revealed bsences had cost the taxpayer approximately £25 million in the last financial year.
26 October 2004
HSENI issue guidance on managing sickness
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has issued new guidance on managing sickness absence and the return to work. HSENI Chairperson, Liam McBrinn, said he hoped the new guidance would be of help to employers as well as employees themselves.
HSENI issue guidance on managing sickness
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has issued new guidance on managing sickness absence and the return to work. HSENI Chairperson, Liam McBrinn, said he hoped the new guidance would be of help to employers as well as employees themselves.
16 January 2004
Government to clampdown on sick day increase
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29 November 2012
NI Civil Service Misses Sickness Rates Target
The Northern Ireland Civil Service has missed its target for cutting sickness rates. The thirtieth annual report from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency showed 10.1 days on average were lost per year. The figure shows a decline on 10.7 for 2010/11, but the number is still shy of the target of 10.0 days. This amounts to 4.
NI Civil Service Misses Sickness Rates Target
The Northern Ireland Civil Service has missed its target for cutting sickness rates. The thirtieth annual report from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency showed 10.1 days on average were lost per year. The figure shows a decline on 10.7 for 2010/11, but the number is still shy of the target of 10.0 days. This amounts to 4.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
