Stress and mental health issues are being blamed for rising absenteeism from council staff

Warwickshire County Council staff have missed a total of 15,001 days of work due to stress and mental health problems as absenteeism rates continue to rise.

The authority’s year-end performance data showed that more than a third of staff days lost in the 2023-24 financial year – around 35 per cent – were attributed to stress or mental health, which had accounted for just 28 per cent. of days lost in the previous year.

It is the reason given for 40 per cent of days of absence in children and young people and social care and health departments – departments facing increasing demand pressures.

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The overall performance figure shows that absenteeism rates are increasing. The average number of sick days for a full-time equivalent council employee is now 9.86 per year, above a target of eight, which has a tolerance of one either way.

This figure was 9.16 in September 2023 and 8.99 a year ago.

The council’s strategic director of resources, Rob Powell, said last year that the balance between staff welfare and the need to save money was “one of the top issues” facing the authority.

In September, Mr Powell specifically referred to “immense pressures” on “frontline and support services” amid levels of demand that had become “extremely high”.

The issue was not discussed in detail at last week’s cabinet meeting – the group of Tory councilors who look after the main service areas – but leader councilor Izzi Seccombe OBE (Stour & the Vale) noted it and admitted “ we have to keep an eye on that one”.

The overall performance report said: “Several service areas within the organization have a significant impact on the overall absenteeism figure and resources and actions are being targeted to support them.”

It also stated that the increase “appears to be in line with national trends”.

The more detailed appendix showed the total of 15,001 days and the proportion of 35% stress and mental health.

“Further investigation into the contributing factors is ongoing. Wellbeing is actively monitored through check-in surveys,” he added before referring to an increased rate of long-term absences in general statistics.

Cited 1,106 times, chest or respiratory illness was the most common reason for absence and highlighted “as a significant cause of lost days”.

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