Swansea Council is grappling with a spike in sickness absence as a report reveals workers surpassed the annual target of 10 sick days within just nine months! The average full-time staff absence now stands at 10.3 days, with no signs of slowing down. This isn’t out of the ordinary, though, as nine other Welsh councils recorded higher rates last year.
Most absences occurred in social services, education, and waste management departments, with stress being the leading cause across the board. With an ageing workforce and complex health conditions rising, it’s easy to see the challenge.
Swansea Council is taking steps to tackle this, with most recommendations from last year’s absence management audit now actioned. They’ve bolstered governance and streamlined access to support services including occupational health and stress management.
To maintain essential services like waste collection, the council has spent £3.82m on agency staff since last April. Yet, this isn’t masking the trends but helping ensure key operations continue smoothly.
Efforts continue to manage this issue as agency staff support keeps vital services running. Have you ever worked under similar pressures, or seen these strategies in action? Share your thoughts!