News

A sick note-struck local authority has credited a new Human Resourses manager with halving employee absence in 2006 reports 'Personnel Today'.

Shepway District Council appointed Wendy Head this year on a mandate to slash absenteeism that peaked at 12 days per person in 2005.

This was delaying projects, piling pressure on other employees and undermining staff morale, according to the council.

Wendy discovered that there was no absence management policy at the council and that workers often informed colleagues they would be off work sick by text message or e-mail.

She then ensured the council focused on an absence management policy and under her management Shepway has seen absenteeism levels drop by half and long term ill-health cut from 14 cases to just two.