Scottish council staff off sick at record rate
Figures released by the Accounts Commission on Thursday showed the absence rate among non-teacher staff rose to an average of 13.9 days in 2023-24 compared with 10.8 in 2010-11.
During the same time, the teacher absence rate increased from 6.6 days to 7.6 days.
• We are in a new era of health in the workplace — things must change
In a report the commission urged councils to plan their workforce into the future, especially given the age of staff.
While 35 per cent of staff — the highest level — are between 25 and 44, a total of 27 per cent of workers are between 45 and 54. There are 29 per cent of workers aged 55 to 64.
The commission said: 'Addressing rising sickness absence, embracing innovation and digital technology, and increased collaborative working will all be necessary to attract and retain staff and ensure we all continue to benefit from a skilled and motivated local government workforce.'
Local authorities should align their workforce plans with their own priorities, the report said.
The commission added that councils were dealing with 'clear and continuing financial pressures' and had to 'transform how they deliver services' to cut costs.
'Auditors report that councils have responded positively to these challenges but that further progress with workforce planning is still needed in light of continuing financial and demand pressures,' the report said.
• Scots out of work for sickness and disability at highest level for 20 years
Jennifer Henderson, a member of the Accounts Commission, said: 'We all benefit from a skilled and motivated local government workforce; staff are the most important resource that councils have.
'Councils must fundamentally reform how they deliver services, and Scotland's 260,000 council workers are crucial to this.
'Councils need to align their existing workforce plans with their priorities so they can ensure their workforces are the right size and shape, and their staff have the skills they will need. In particular, they need to ensure workers have the digital skills necessary for the scale of changes ahead.
'We have seen many councils already responding to this challenge, and there are valuable opportunities for local bodies to learn from each other.'
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