WORKING days lost through staff sickness at the Forest of Dean District Council are up across almost all departments, states a report to the personnel sub-committee.
However the average number of days' absence per employee, at 7.98 days (3.5 per cent) is lower than either the national overall average (4.2 per cent) or the shire districts average (3.8 per cent).
The report states that the most significant changes occurred with long-term sickness, up from 22 per cent last year to 33 per cent, and absences in the Strategy Directorate increased from 2.6 days last year to 7.42 now.
The average number of days lost in other departments were: Central Services, 7.36 days; Planning and Leisure, 7.14; Housing and Environmental, 7.27; Wardens, 17.27.
Reasons given for sickness included: Strategy, hysterectomy operation; Central Services, stress/ anxiety, fractured arm, neck/back pain and problems during pregnancy; Planning and Leisure, back pain, thyroid operation; Housing and Environmental, depression, myotonia, stress, tenosynitis, hand injury; wardens, depression, stroke, ear surgery and torn leg tendon.
The report notes that leisure centre staff are not included in the figures but it was hoped to include them in future years.
It also notes that the Government is keen to cut staff sickness absences significantly across councils and all other public offices.
"The Cabinet Office is challenging all public sector bodies to reduce absence levels by 20 per cent to 30 per cent over specific time periods," it adds.