States staff taking fewer sick days

Monday 18 August 2014

The number of days States employees are off sick is decreasing with staff taking one sick day less than in 2011.

In the past three years the average number of days each employee takes off for sickness has dropped from 8.92 days to 7.94 days.

Over the same period the total number of days lost to sickness has gone down by 0.44%, from 4.02% to 3.58%.

Figures released by The States Employment Board – which has responsibility for workplace issues in the public sector - show that the government employed a total of 6,944 people in 2013, over 218 more than 2011.

Deputy Andrew Green, a member of the States Employment Board said: “Sickness absence across the States is reducing on an annual basis and the departments actively manage sickness with a range of support for employees, including return to work interviews, a confidential support line, family-friendly policies and a phased return to work scheme. “

The number of sick days taken by States’ employees has dropped at a time where the general health of the population has remained the same. In the Jersey Annual Social Survey, 2013, 83% of islanders reported their health as being good, very good or excellent, a proportion that hasn’t changed since 2009.

On average people in Jersey visit their GP 3.7 times a year, and visit a dentist 1.5 times a year.

Deputy Green said: “All sickness is recorded centrally and continually reviewed to monitor trends and identify issues.”