Viruses result in more time off than stress

Viral
infections knock out more local authority staff than stress, according to a
survey from the Employers’ Organisation.

They head
the top four reasons for absence, with stress second, followed by muscular
problems and operations and recovery.

The survey
found levels of local government sickness were higher than those in the private
sector, but 4.2 per cent lower than elsewhere in the public sector.

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Metropolitan
authorities currently lose 5.7 per cent of employee days in sickness, with
London boroughs losing 4.4 per cent, counties losing 4 per cent and shire
district staff away sick for 3.9 per cent of their time.

All
authorities except county authorities needed to cut the rates to match the best
performers under Best Value legislation, claimed the report.