464 years of council sickies in 12 months

Almost 170,000 sick days were taken by workers at a Black Country council last year - an increase of around 13,000.

Walsall Council chiefs today said they would look at private firms' approach to absences, to crackdown on the problem.

The 13,139 employees at the council took an average of sick 12.9 days in 2008/09, which works out at a total of 169,493 days - the equivalent of 464 years. And despite 800 more staff members employed over the previous 12 months, the workers' had a 11.21 sick day average for 2007/08. This meant there was a much lower figure of 156,480 days lost.

It comes after it emerged that the authority spied on employees on sick leave last year.

While it is thought the lengthy absences of a small number of staff accounts for a lot of those lost days, personnel bosses in Walsall are keen to learn from other organisations that have combated similar problems.

Councillor Chris Towe, borough finance chief, said future priorities would include a drive to reduce accidents and work-related sickness.

"Walsall Council has never been safer, but our sickness absence remains a challenge," he said.

"It's prudent for us to learn from other public and private sector organisations that have successfully managed to reduce sickness levels.

"In an environment of constant change it is important to keep a clear focus on our safety improvement agenda.

"We recognise that we are in a changing global environment, where there are other equally important pressures on us to succeed, not least the financial challenges affecting residents, businesses and ourselves."

A report to the members of the cabinet will be discussed next Wednesday at Walsall Council House.

Cannock Chase council staff took an average of 13 sick days off last year, compared with 10.6 in the previous year. In Wolverhampton in 2007/08 the figure was 11.5 days per worker.

An in Sandwell, the figure was 11.98 days in 2008/09, up slightly from 11.84 the previous year.