Stockton Council's leader said initiatives and support were in place to reduce sickness levels
More than 10 days were lost in 2022/23 for each full-time equivalent member of staff, a report to Stockton Council's people select committee said Musculoskeletal problems were the second highest reason given, particularly affecting workers in manual roles.Council leader Bob Cook said short-term absences as a result of the Covid-19 virus were a factor which could be explained by a return to normal working and staff mingling with each other following the pandemic."The council is continuing to provide a range of health initiatives and support to all of our employees to reduce sickness levels," Mr Cook said.
Another council report recently showed a 34% rise in attacks on council staff, with 287 people reporting this in 2022/23 compared to 214 over the course of the previous year.