The following table sets out the total number of uncertified sick days taken by staff in my Department during the years in question, along with the number of uncertified sick days taken on Mondays and Fridays:
Year
|
Total number of uncertified sick days taken
|
Mondays
|
Fridays
|
2007
|
1,317.5
|
321
|
199
|
2008
|
1,232.0
|
310
|
183
|
2009
|
334.0
|
62
|
42
|
The following table shows the number of staff taking fewer than 10 and more than 10 uncertified sick days during the years in question:
Year
|
No. of staff claiming uncertified sick leave who took fewer than 10 uncertified sick days
|
No. of staff claiming uncertified sick leave who took more than 10 uncertified sick days
|
2007
|
571
|
2
|
2008
|
571
|
2
|
2009
|
185
|
0
|
I understand it is not the practice within the Civil Service for staff who have taken uncertified sick days to be referred for an independent medical opinion. Such action is generally only taken when an officer has been on certified, long-term sick leave. The Department closely monitors uncertified sick leave absences by staff. Such absences in excess of the limits prescribed by the Department of Finance (i.e. seven days in any period of 12 months) result in the withholding of salary.