asked the Minister for Labour if he will give comparative percentage figures in respect of absenteeism in the public and private sectors over the past few years.
Written Answers. - Absenteeism Figures.
484.
The information sought in the question is not available in my Department as employers are not obliged to make returns of work days lost due to unscheduled absences by their employees from work.
The evidence available to me suggests that absenteeism is a complex, human problem, caused by a variety of factors arising inside or outside the work situation. In so far as working conditions may be a contributory factor, managements are encouraged to monitor trends and, in consultation with trade unions, to explore ways and means of identifying the underlying causes and remedying them.
I believe that the Government's commitment to the promotion, by agreement, of meaningful participation by workers in decisions affecting their working lives will make a positive contribution to removing influences affecting worker-job relationships. This factor will be taken into account when policies are being developed arising from the Government's discussion document on worker participation.