High levels of absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service cost the taxpayer £25.6m during the last financial year. The figures on sickness for 2006/07, in a report by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, revealed the main problem was the frequency and duration of long-term absence, with 12.3% of staff being on long-term sickness (more than 20 consecutive days).
The sickness rate was highest among staff at administrative officer level (18.9 days), with female officers at this grade accruing 22 sick days. Declan O'Loan, SDLP, said the cost was unacceptable and that, "We can't ignore the reality that far too many days are lost to sickness in the Civil Service. It is far in excess of the private sector. The cost to the taxpayer is not acceptable."
The main reason for long-term absence was psychiatric or psychological illness, accounting for 29.2% of working days lost. Absences in this category lasted an average of 37.8 days. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) reported earlier this year that work-related stress is one of the leading causes of ill health in the workplace in Northern Ireland, affecting an estimated 16,000 people.
Finance Minister Peter Robinson commented, "The report illustrates clearly the extent of the problem with sickness absence across the civil service. While significant efforts have been made, my ministerial colleagues and I are committed to improving attendance in all departments."
