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Civil service absence cost £370 million in 2002

Rising levels of absence among employees in the civil service are the result of stress and poor management, the latest Cabinet Office research suggests.


Learning points

  • The number of days taken in sick leave by the average civil servant rose from 9.2 to 9.8 days in 2002, reversing a decline in the previous year.

  • Long-term absence is driving the overall increase, and accounted for 10.6% of total absence in 2002, up from 8.5% in 1999.

  • Increases in cases of mental illness and musculoskeletal disorders are the main reason for the rise in long-term absence.

  • Implementation of existing absence management policies and practices is patchy, particularly regarding the certification of long-term absence, and documentation of its causes.