CIVIL SERVANTS in Northern Ireland are taking large amounts of sick leave each year compared to their counterparts in Britain, according to an official report.
Absence levels are 36 per cent higher than in Britain and among women are almost double, according to the report published by the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
Overall, 323,000 days were lost in the year 2006-07, averaging out at 13.7 days for each of the 28,000 staff.
When Northern Ireland’s civil servants are off work, they tend to remain away for twice as long as their British counterparts, said the report.
The Northern Ireland Executive has set a target to reduce absence due to sickness to 9.5 days per employee by 2010. But during the year reviewed, the rate went up from 13.4 in the previous 12 months. However, it was down on the 15.5 days recorded in 2003-04.
The number of sick days rose in all but three government departments.
The report showed long-term absence – that lasting more than 20 days – was twice the level in Britain and accounted for 70 per cent of all days lost. – (PA)