For your information:


"Wednesday, 8 December 2009

 

NHS sickness absence rates vary between regions and different sections of the health service, a new report shows.

In the first three months of 2009/10, the NHS sickness absence rate was 4.1% says the new report from The NHS Information Centre.

The report revealed that the North East Strategic Health Authority area recorded the highest average sickness absence rate at 4.6%, while The London Strategic Health Authority area recorded the lowest average at 3.4%.

Among different staff groups healthcare assistants and other support staff recorded the highest average sickness absence rate at 6.2% while the medical and dental staff recorded the lowest average at 1.1%"

I don't know the reason, and GPs are notorious for struggling in to work when they may not be well.... possibly it's the morale / mutual support and the idea that if I go off sick, my colleagues will have to work even harder without me.... but it looks like the sick pay or absenteeism may not be relevant, even in the NHS. Maybe it's because we feel needed, or valued by our patients?

Alan

Liz Hansen wrote:

Hi Glenn

In my experience it's often more than just the benefits on offer which influences absence rates. While generous sick pay and unchallenged/ poorly managed absenteeism encourage high absence rates (usually in large, unwieldy organisations such as the NHS and Local Government), those employers who truly value their employees and offer a positive working environment reap the benefits ten fold. For example, one such client of mine can accommodate sickness absence for up to one year on full pay but has an absence rate of 1.6% (and they have sustained their low absence rate at less than 2% for more than 5 years).

Organisational culture, interpersonal relationships, management styles (and commitment to manage absence) and individual work ethic are just some other absence influencing factors.

Kind regards

Liz

---

From: Glenn Raybone <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thu, 17 December, 2009 14:38:05
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Sickness rates

Hello

Can I ask if anyone on the list works for an organisation that doesn't have sick-
pay provision and just SSP.

In such a situation can I ask if your sickness absence rates are any worse
than national averages and also what the causes for absence are.

I ask as the NHS has very generous sick-pay provision, but the sceptic in me
does wonder if this encourages some to have extra absence or longer than is
actually needed.

To maintain confidentiality please email me off-list if you prefer.

Season Greetings

Glenn

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