Sickness Absence - Update

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Background

1. HRE&HS Panel received a report in March 2008 detailing the progress made in reducing sickness

absence in the previous year, and outlined the work being undertaken to sustain a downward trend in absence for the future.

2. This report provides an update on the current sickness absence position across the Authority in line

with current targets, and summarises the key works being progressed in this area.

Sickness absence from July 2007 to June 2008 - 12 months rolling averages

3. Since targeted work has been undertaken on managing absence, the Authority has seen a significant

downward trend in sickness across its main occupational groups.

4. From 2002/03 sickness in the Uniformed Operational staff group has reduced from 6.85% to the most

recent position observed (12 month period ending) June 2008 of 4.11%. This equates to on average 7.5 shifts per employee, which is below the average level of sickness as reported in the CIPDs 07/08 survey of 8.4 days, and is well below the average for the public sector of 9.8 days per employee.

5. Sickness in the FRS occupational group has also reduced over this period from, 4.33% in 2002/03 to

the most recent position (12 month period ending) 3.43%. This equates to 8.91 days per employee, which again is well below the average for the public sector of 9.8 days per employee, and slightly greater than overall average of 8.4 days.

Report title Agenda item

Sickness Absence - Update

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Meeting Date

Human Resources, Health & Safety and Equalities Panel 11 September 2008

Report by Document Number

Head of Human Resources HRE 283

Summary

This report provides:

(i) an update on sickness absence up to the 30th_{June 2008,}

(ii) an update of progress since the report to HRE&HS panel dated 13/03/08.

Recommendations(s)

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6. The 12 months ending 30th_{of June 2008 has shown a downward turn in sickness in all 3 of the}

occupational groups. A detailed breakdown of the figures discussed can be found in Appendix 1.

7. Uniformed Operational Sickness has reduced from 4.45% (as at the 12 month period ending July

2007) to 4.11% (as at the 12month period ending June 2008), this level of sickness is just above the groups target for 08/09 of 4.0%. The current level of sickness is the lowest achieved by this group to date, and is in part attributable to a sustained reduction of Long Term Sickness, which is discussed in more detail later in the paper.

8. Fire and Rescue Service Staff sickness has reduced in this period from 3.54% (12 month period ending

July 2007) to 3.43% (as of the 12 month period ending June 2008). This is above the 08/09 target for this group of 3.05%, and this level of sickness is primarily a result of the inclusion of the Craft and Manual and Non Operational occupational groups, which historically have had higher levels of sickness.

9. Sickness within the Control staff occupational group has also reduced in this period from 7.52% (as of

the 12 month period ending July 2007) down to 6.53% (as of the 12 month period ending June 2008). This level of sickness remains above this group’s target of 6% for 08/09 but shows a considerable improvement when compared to the levels observed in 2006/07, where sickness was at 7.8%

10. To further support the overall downward trend in absence, the attendance management policy is

being improved, and further work is being undertaken with managers to ensure proactive management of this area.

Reasons for Sickness-Year ending June 2008

11. Sickness due to Respiratory, Stress Anxiety and Depression, and Lower limb were the most frequent

causes of absence, featuring in at least 3 of the 4 occupational groups top reason for sickness. SAD was the most frequently cited reason for sickness, for Non Operational Staff, FRS and Control.

Top 3 Reasons of Sickness (as a proportion of total sickness) by Occupational Group

0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 35.00% 40.00% 45.00% Lo w er Li m b Uppe r Li m b B ack or ne ck St re ss / a nxi et y / de pr essi on Lo w er Li m b Res pi ra tor y St re ss / a nxi et y / de pr essi on Lo w er Li m b Res pi ra tor y St re ss / a nxi et y / de pr essi on Res pi ra tor y G ast roi nt est in al

Ops Ops Ops Non Ops Non Ops Non Ops FRS FRS FRS Control Control Control

Sickness Category/Occupational Group

% S ic kn es s Series1

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Longer Term Absences

12. Considerable effort is being focused on reducing the number of individuals off Long Term due to

sickness. This has resulted in a sustained reduction in the number of active Long Term Sick cases, and a reduction in the length of time taken to resolve these sickness cases from 149 days in July 2006 to a relatively steady average 103 days currently.

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Long Term Sickness Cases Jul 2007

- June 2008

Jul-07 Aug-07 Sep-07 Oct-07 Nov-07 Dec-07 Jan-08 Feb-08 Mar-08 Apr-08 May-08 Jun-08

Cases at start of month 125 123 147 134 120 125 149 106 117 119 95 114 Case opened during month 58 70 56 58 48 49 35 40 50 32 55 36 Case closed during month 60 46 69 72 43 25 78 29 48 56 36 45 Cases at end of month 123 147 134 120 125 149 106 117 119 95 114 105 Average Case Resolution Time (days)* 104 105 104 100 105 103 102 103 103 103 103 104 (*all cases closed in preceding 12 months)

For active cases at end of month:

a) Breakdown by duration (numbers): up to 6 months 96 116 101 85 96 115 75 86 90 64 86 82 6 to 12 months 11 17 17 19 15 20 16 14 15 17 15 10 more than 12 months 16 14 16 16 14 14 15 17 14 14 13 13 b) Breakdown by duration (% of total): up to 6 months 78 79 75 71 77 77 71 73 76 67 76 78 6 to 12 months 9 12 13 16 12 14 16 12 11 18 13 10 more than 12 months 13 9 12 13 11 9 15 15 13 15 11 12 c) Breakdown by Directorate: DFCS 112 133 121 110 118 139 97 105 108 85 103 97

Resources 8 11 10 7 5 6 7 9 9 6 6 5

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Wellbeing

13. A Wellbeing Pilot was launched in June 2008 to 2 Boroughs (Lambeth and Camden) and 1 Head

Quarters Department (Procurement). The launch comprised of a number of briefings to explain the purpose and scope, and a number of subsequent health road shows. These enabled individuals to meet with health professionals and have biometric measures taken, and the inferred implications for their health explained.

14. In addition to this, the consultant Right Management, who were responsible for the role out of this

pilot also provided an on-line health portal, and a number of health assessments that further support individuals to make positive changes to their life styles.

15. Each location has a volunteer wellbeing representative, and induction and training for these

individuals is due to take place in September. Part of this role will be to scope the further activity that is to take place in this area. An evaluation is planned after the pilot has run for its 12 month period. Initial feedback indicates that overall the pilot has been well received.

Authority’s Strategic Objectives

16. This report refers to the Authority’s aim 4: Resources. Through the management and maximum

utilisation of our people resources, we achieve high levels productivity.

Head of Legal and Democratic Services comments

17. There are no legal implications arising from this report

Head of Finance Comments

18. No comments from the Head of Finance

Environmental Implications

19. There are no environmental implications from the contents of this report.

Equalities Implications

20. There are no equality implications from the contents of this report.

List of Appendices to this report:

1. 12 monthly rolling absence figures ending June 2008

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985

List of background documents

Proper officer James Dalgleish

Contact officer Telephone Email Mairin Finn 020 8555 1200 ex 30496 mairin.finn@london-fire.gov.uk

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Twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Analysis of sickness absence

Report for Directors and Heads of Service

Appendix A

T: 020 8555 1200 ext. 30396

E: performance@london-fire.gov.uk

W: hotwire/management/performance

Key

MDA = Maximum Days Available

Sickness codes starting:

N = non-certificated

S = self certificated

M = medical certificate (up to 28 days)

LT = medical certificate (over 28 days)

Sickness codes ending:

D = Due to service

N = Not due to service

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE

Directorate overview - rolling annual average of % of MDA lost to sickness

0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00%

Jul 07 _Aug 07 _{Sep 07} _{Oct 0}

7

Nov

07

Dec 0

7

Jan 08 _{Feb 08} _{Mar 08} _{Apr 08} _{May 08} Jun 08

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Directorate Overview by staff group: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Uniformed Operational

Directorate MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Corporate Services 3,501 8 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0.68 0.37%

Resources 6,126 21 27 0 0 0 0 125 0 173 5.15 2.82%

Fire & Community Safety 1,020,429 3,882 9,361 6,505 125 202 950 19,653 3,125 43,803 7.83 4.29%

Operational Policy & Training 108,245 168 355 504 4 17 88 1,478 202 2,816 4.75 2.60%

Uniformed Operational Total 1,138,301 4,079 9,748 7,009 129 219 1,038 21,256 3,327 46,805 7.50 4.11%

Long term target 3.60%

2008/09 target 4.00%###

Fire & Rescue Staff

Directorate MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Corporate Services 49,242 451 241 122 3 0 10 853 0 1,680 8.87 3.41%

Resources 74,312 421 355 241 0 0 18 694 0 1,729 6.05 2.33%

Fire & Community Safety 119,123 476 693 835 1 0 27 2,643 52 4,727 10.32 3.97%

Operational Policy & Training 48,296 248 243 299 0 7 0 996 39 1,832 9.86 3.79%

Fire & Rescue Staff Total 290,973 1,596 1,532 1,497 4 7 55 5,186 91 9,968 8.91 3.43%

2008/09 target 3.05%###

Lost Working Days (LWD) May

Short-term sickness Long-term sickness

Short-term sickness Long-term _sickness

0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun C S R F & C S O P & T U O Total 08/09 target 2.00% 2.50% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% 4.50% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun C S R F & C S O P & T F R S Total 08/09 target

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Directorate Overview by staff group: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Control

Directorate MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Fire & Community Safety 20,475 109 133 158 0 0 0 1,012 0 1,412 12.59 6.90%

Operational Policy & Training 1,456 8 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 2.51 1.37%

Control Total 21,931 117 145 158 0 0 0 1,012 0 1,432 11.92 6.53%

2008/09 target 6.00%###

Short-term sickness Long-term sickness 0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun F & C S O P & T Control Total 08/09 target

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Corporate Services Directorate: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Commissioner's & Directors Sec 1,322 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00%

Strategy & Performance 2,179 8 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 1.09 0.60%

Uniformed Operational Total 3,501 8 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0.68 0.37%

St Long term target 3.60%

Lt 2008/09 target 4.00% 4.4%

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Commissioner's & Directors Sec 2,558 7 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 2.03 0.78%

Strategy & Performance 14,008 108 86 86 2 0 0 163 0 445 8.26 3.18%

Communications 8,397 88 55 10 0 0 0 353 0 506 15.67 6.03%

Information Technology 15,166 127 42 26 1 0 0 153 0 349 5.98 2.30%

Legal & Democratic Services 9,113 121 45 0 0 0 10 184 0 360 10.27 3.95%

Fire & Rescue Staff Total 49,242 451 241 122 3 0 10 853 0 1,680 8.87 3.41%

Lt 2008/09 target 3.05% 3.4%

Lost Working Days (LWD) May

0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% 4.50% End

Jul AugEnd EndSep Oct End NovEnd DecEnd End Jan End Feb EndMar End Apr MayEnd End Jun

C & D S S & P U O Total 08/09 target 0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% End

Jul AugEnd EndSep Oct End EndNov EndDec End Jan End Feb EndMar End Apr MayEnd End Jun

C & D S S & P Comms I T L & D S F R S Total 08/09 target

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Resources Directorate: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Human Resources 2,465 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0.89 0.49%

Procurement 3,661 12 24 0 0 0 0 125 0 161 8.03 4.40%

Uniformed Operational Total 6,126 21 27 0 0 0 0 125 0 173 5.15 2.82%

Lt 2008/09 target 4.00% 4.4%

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Finance 11,825 95 42 13 0 0 0 148 0 298 6.55 2.52%

Human Resources 27,501 148 121 38 0 0 12 151 0 470 4.44 1.71%

Property 13,716 75 44 29 0 0 0 0 0 148 2.81 1.08%

Procurement 21,270 103 148 161 0 0 6 395 0 813 9.94 3.82%

Lt 2008/09 target 3.05% 3.4%

0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun H R Proc U O Total 08/09 target 0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% 4.50% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun F H R Prop Proc F R S Total 08/09 target

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Fire & Community Safety Directorate: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Boroughs/stations 972,910 3,755 9,146 6,358 125 202 950 17,181 2,258 39,975 7.50 4.11%

Community Safety 14,808 30 37 58 0 0 0 214 0 339 4.18 2.29%

Operational Response 20,365 92 169 63 0 0 0 154 87 565 5.06 2.77%

Service Delivery 8,471 5 9 15 0 0 0 160 74 263 5.67 3.10%

Long Term Sick Pools 2,947 0 0 11 0 0 0 1,944 706 2,661 164.79 90.30%

Director/MCU 928 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00%

Uniformed Operational Total 1,020,429 3,882 9,361 6,505 125 202 950 19,653 3,125 43,803 7.83 4.29%

Lt 2008/09 target 4.00%4.4%

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Boroughs/stations 76,530 252 471 547 0 0 17 1,972 52 3,311 11.25 4.33% Community Safety 15,633 81 64 88 0 0 0 84 0 317 5.27 2.03% Operational Response 6,597 35 53 57 0 0 0 0 0 145 5.71 2.20% Service Delivery 17,115 97 93 113 1 0 10 512 0 826 12.55 4.83% Director/MCU 1,682 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1.24 0.48% Equalities 1,566 8 7 30 0 0 0 75 0 120 19.92 7.66%

Fire & Rescue Staff Total 119,123 476 693 835 1 0 27 2,643 52 4,727 10.32 3.97%

Lt 2008/09 target 3.05%3.4%

Short-term sickness Long-term _sickness Lost Working Days _{(LWD) May}

0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% 4.50% 5.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun B / S C S O R S D D / M C U U O incl. L T S P 0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun B / S C S O R S D D / M C U E F R S Total 08/09 target 08/09 target

This graph does not show Long Term Sick Pools

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Fire & Community Safety Directorate: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Control

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA Operational Response 20,475 109 133 158 0 0 0 1,012 0 1,412 12.59 6.90%

Control Total 20,475 109 133 158 0 0 0 1,012 0 1,412 12.59 6.90%

Lt 2008/09 target 6.00%6.6%

0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% 7.00% 8.00% 9.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun O R / Control Total Control 08/09 target

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Operational Policy and Training Directorate: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Organisational Units MDA NN SN MN ND SD MD LTN LTD no days % of MDA

Training and Development Services 76,191 123 233 307 3 13 70 1,022 69 1,840 4.41 2.41%

Business Management & Change 1,474 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0.87 0.47%

Operational Policy 20,771 34 80 133 1 0 18 294 0 560 4.92 2.70%

Health & Safety 3,523 7 15 26 0 4 0 107 133 292 15.13 8.29%

Control & Communications Project 686 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 0 23 6.12 3.35%

Emergency Planning 63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00%

Special Operations Group 5,537 1 23 15 0 0 0 55 0 94 3.10 1.70%

Uniformed Operational Total 108,245 168 355 504 4 17 88 1,478 202 2,816 4.75 2.60%

Lt 2008/09 target 4.00% 4.4%

Training & Development Services 28,615 120 175 205 0 2 0 632 39 1,173 10.66 4.10%

Business Management & Change 4,494 31 4 15 0 0 0 174 0 224 12.96 4.98%

Operational Policy 4,307 24 31 50 0 5 0 50 0 160 9.66 3.71%

Health & Safety 3,565 46 17 10 0 0 0 92 0 165 12.03 4.63%

Control & Communications Project 1,778 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.73 0.28%

Emergency Planning 3,998 18 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 1.50 0.58%

Special Operations Group 1,539 4 11 19 0 0 0 48 0 82 13.85 5.33%

Lt 2008/09 target 3.05% 3.4%

Short-term sickness Long-term _sickness Lost Working Days (LWD) _May

Short-term sickness Long-term

sickness

Lost Working Days (LWD) May 0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00% End Jul End Aug End Sep End Oct End Nov End Dec End Jan End Feb End Mar End Apr End May End Jun T & D S B M & C O P H & S C & C P E P S O G U O Total 0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% End

Jul AugEnd End Sep End Oct NovEnd DecEnd End Jan End Feb MarEnd End Apr MayEnd End Jun

T & D S B M & C O P H & S C & C P E P S O G F R S Total 08/09 target 08/09 target

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ANALYSIS OF SICKNESS ABSENCE: Report for Directors and Heads of Service Operational Policy and Training Directorate: twelve months ending 30 June 2008

Control

Control & Communications Project 1,456 8 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 2.51 1.37%

Control Total 1,456 8 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 2.51 1.37%

Lt 2008/09 target 6.00% 6.6%

Short-term sickness Long-term _sickness Lost Working Days (LWD) _May

0.00% 1.00% 2.00% 3.00% 4.00% 5.00% 6.00% End

Jul AugEnd End Sep End Oct End Nov EndDec End Jan End Feb MarEnd End Apr MayEnd End Jun

C & C P / Control Total Control Total 08/09 target