The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
Year
|
Average number of sick days
|
Average number of sick days excluding long-term sick leave
|
2006
|
15.51
|
10.62
|
2007
|
14.81
|
10.07
|
2008
|
13.36
|
8.69
|
The figures for 2006 and 2007 are based on the actual numbers of days lost to sick leave in each of those years, based on the wholetime equivalent figure, less staff seconded into my Department, at year end. The 2008 figure is a projection for the entire year, based on actual data for Quarters 1 to 3 and a wholetime equivalent figure at 30th September 2008. For the purposes of this reply long-term sick leave has been defined as any continuous absence (whether within a year or spanning years) of six months or more.
The following table details the percentage of days lost due to sick leave for the same years, based on a wholetime equivalent figure, including staff seconded into my Department.
Year
|
% days lost due to sick leave
|
2006
|
6.01
|
2007
|
5.66
|
2008
|
5.15
|