Council tackles absentee workers

The council said it is determined to reduce absenteeism

Craigavon Borough Council has appointed an officer to tackle its high level of absenteeism.

Just under 7,500 sick days were taken by staff last year - almost 4.6% - one of the highest in Northern Ireland.

However, the biggest departmental rate was 8.1% - with 2,704 absentee days in environmental services.

Deputy Mayor, councillor Kenneth Twyble, told the BBC News Website that the council was determined to reduce absenteeism.

"The council is taking steps to try and improve the situation and is appointing an officer to address this long-standing issue," he said.

"Every public body has similar issues, and the council's record hasn't been good.

"A number of staff are off on stress leave and this has been interpreted that it has been part of the Review of Public Administration and the stress associated with the possibility of job losses."

A planned local government shake-up aims to slash the number of councils in Northern Ireland from the 26 existing bodies.

In March, figures revealed sick leave among council workers was higher in Northern Ireland than in England and also the civil service.

The Audit Office said in the previous year absenteeism among staff cost £14m in lost productivity.

Fermanagh District Council had the best record. The worst record was in Larne where an average of 20 days per employee were lost every year.