50,000 council sick days worth £6million

Staff absence throughout Stirling Council saw more than 50,000 working days lost in a yearequating to over £6million in pay.

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

Figures due to be reported to this week's finance and economy committee, show a reduction in working days lost (WDL) for the financial year 2024-25 - with the total number 52,593.

But, in their report, officials said: "While this is a decrease by 8403 WDL from 2023-24, in pay costs alone this rate of absence amounts to over £6million.

"Teacher absence has reduced to 8.07 WDL (down 0.76 compared to 2023-24) and absence for all other employees (AOE) has reduced to 16.78 WDL (down 1.31).

"Overall this reduced council-wide absence level to 14.25 WDL (down 1.93 WDL since 2022-23)."

HSCP (Health and Social Care Partnership), Education (non-teaching) and Environment and Place, accounted for the highest levels of annualised days lost per FTE (full time equivalent). However, in each of these service areas, the working days lost have reduced from the previous year.

Children and Families, however, experienced the most significant increase in WDLby 3.08 WDL to 15.25 WDL.

The report added: "It should be noted that an ongoing factor which may adversely impact attendance at work in these service areas, is the nature of some roles being more physically or mentally/ emotionally demanding.