Sickness absence levels lead to health checks (From Warrington Guardian)

Sickness absence levels lead to health checks

EMPLOYEES are undergoing health checks in a bid to reduce the amount of sick leave.

Sickness absence among Congleton Borough Council employees peaked in October.

Figures released by the council show 440 days were lost due to sickness over that month, compared with 311 for October 2004.

In September the authority announced that 40 jobs were to go as part of proposals to save £1.6 million.

The proposals included plans to transfer the operation of leisure to schools or trusts.

The personnel department is continuing to work with managers in specific departments to "manage" sickness absence.

In addition the council is running a trial of "additional support" one day each month from its occupational health unit

"The occupational health nurse will review current absence cases and provide employees with health check appointments," said personnel manager Helen Jackson.

"These will be one to one appointments, which will provide employees with advice on health matters as well as checks on blood pressure, weight and cholesterol.

"The aim is to enable employees to identify health concerns which may affect general health and wellbeing, ultimately aiming to reduce sickness absence."

Further sessions are likely to focus on other reasons for absence and referral appointments.

The sickness absence figures fell back in November and December to 360 days and 313 days respectively.

The council said stomach complaints and cold and flu were still the main causes of short-term illness.

The information came from return to work interviews with employees who had been off sick.