Staff Sickness 'Has Cost Council £5.7m In Year'

CYNGOR GWYNEDD AGREES PLAN TO TACKLE 'INCREASING CHALLENGE'

- DALE SPRIDGEON

THE 'increasing challenge' of staff sick leave in Gwynedd is costing the local authority millions of pounds. Shabby offices, unfair workloads and too much work pressure were among observations cited by some Cyngor Gwynedd staff as being among issues which were affecting their wellbeing.

The council said the cost of absences in 23/24 was calculated to be £5.7m. Plans to tackle employee health, safety and wellbeing were discussed during a meeting of Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet on Monday, December 17.

It approved the Wellbeing Plan, which outlined the council's priorities for its staff over the next few years. The report noted that since lockdown, it was 'universally recognised' that 'the challenge' in terms of staff wellbeing, and the mental wellbeing of the general population, has 'increased dramatically.'

It quoted figures from the MIND organisation, which highlighted that 'a third of the working age population believe their mental health has deteriorated significantly since March 2020.' This had been 'reflected' in the numbers of staff who have been making use of support available, and there had been a 'significant increase' in counselling service, councillors heard.