Work space support is needed at council

Published 6 Jul 2012 17:00 2 Comments

WORKING conditions for council staff have been slammed after alarming statistics revealed 27 council workers resigned in only three months.

The statistics, compiled as part of Slough Borough Council's wellbeing strategy, showed 101 workers left the council - with 27 resignations and 51 redundancies - from January to March this year.

Opposition councillors said the figures, which also state stress as the highest reason for staff sickness during last year, highlight bad working conditions.

Cllr Diana Coad said: "The workers in St Martin's Place are in rows and rows - there is no privacy. It's no wonder they are stressed."

The figures, which were discussed at an employment and appeals committee on Thursday last week, showed there was 50 long-term sickness absences in January to March, at a salary cost of £138,181.

In the same period, there was 1556 sick days in the council's community and wellbeing department, which has 484 staff, with a salary cost of £114,258.

The council has the equivalent of 1521 full-time employees.

Councillor Shafiq Chaudhry, commissioner for performance and accountability, said: "There are a number of factors which affect sickness, but the council has been through a disruptive two years dealing with the cuts to funding imposed on us by government.

"While we have worked hard to preserve front line services and keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum, this has inevitably brought uncertainty and disruption to staff, which may be reflected in these figures."

The council has vowed to increase access to exercise and fitness opportunities and review its sickness absence policy.

Ruth Bagley, chief executive, added: "Our aim at the council is to have staff who are happy, healthy and here. We are aware the sickness levels are too high and that staff across the public sector are under pressure.

"We have plans in place to support staff and intervene earlier so long term sickness is prevented where possible."

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This article appeared in Local Berkshire 06 Jul 12

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• 

  JUDGE1066
  273 posts
  Jul 6, 17:10
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  In the same period, there was 1556 sick days in the council's community and wellbeing department, which has 484 staff, with a salary cost of £114,258.
  
  1556 sick days? I think the Council needs to look at their recruitment policy and stop employing lame ducks :-)
  
  Recommend?   Yes 10     No 8

• 

  FishyPete
  5 posts
  Jul 6, 18:47
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  Totally agree with Judge1066...............I doubt if there would be any council staff if they had to work in the same conditions as our armed forces & emergency services.........."Doc got a headache...........well get a plaster & asprin, stick it to your forehead & carry on working.................next"
  
  Recommend?   Yes 8     No 7

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