Stress the leading cause of Angus Council’s £4m sickness absence bill

Sickness absence cost Angus Council more than £4 million last year, with stress on the increase.

Members of the council’s scrutiny and audit committee will meet in Forfar today to discuss a report from chief executive Richard Stiff, which identifies the main causes of absence.

Mr Stiff’s report on last year’s figures says: ”In 2011/12 the direct cost of employees’ sickness absence, ie. the cost of sick pay, was £4,035,228 compared with £3,825,629 in 2010/11 — an increase of £209,599 (5%).

”This figure comprises statutory sick pay payments of £627,120 and occupational sickness allowance payments of £3,408,108.”

Stress-related reasons were given for absence in 21.47% of all instances last year, up from 18.65% in 2010/11 and close to the 21.67% in 2008/9. The next most common complaint is stomach-related at 9.52%.

A study found 77% of last year’s stress absence was caused by non-work-related issues, such as relationship problems, bereavement, family illness, family crises and long-term diagnosed depressive conditions, with 23% by work-related factors.

However, a depression and stress illness organisation said the report’s focus on stress as a monetary driver is ”unhelpful”.

A spokeswoman for Breathing Space Scotland said: ”Because of the increasing pressures associated with the recession and the ever-present knowledge that any sign of weakness in the workplace will be scrutinised more than ever before, these statistics are often unhelpful.

”Stress and depression are often symptoms of the work environment in which people have to operate. It doesn’t create the problems that public and private sector organisations face. Those are external.

”Pointing the finger at stress as a cause for concern in a job is like treating a back problem by carrying heavier bags.”

Another report to be considered will show the number of lost days due to sickness absence in the first quarter of this year has increased again — with the social work department identified as having made the largest impact.

The cost of direct sick pay represented 3.25% of total salary costs last year, up from 3.03% in 2010/11 — or £630 per employee.

The survey reported an overall average annual cost per employee of £673 and £800 within the public sector.

Mr Stiff added: ”The council strives to reduce stress-related absence and to support employees suffering from such conditions through its various absence management measures.

”To assist this, the council collects and analyses information on the causes of stress-related absence, particularly whether it is work or non-work related.”