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Civil service sickness 'too high' Sickness levels 'will be tackled'
(40 minutes later)
There is an unacceptable level of absence through sickness in NI's civil service, Finance Minister Peter Robinson has told assembly members. The problem of absenteeism in Northern Ireland's civil service will be tackled one way or another, Finance Minister Peter Robinson has said.
In their last meeting before the break, MLAs will also considered whether to relocate some public sector jobs. Mr Robinson said the executive had to carefully monitor the situation using existing procedures.
But public service union Nipsa insisted that comparisons with sick leave rates in the private sector were misleading.But public service union Nipsa insisted that comparisons with sick leave rates in the private sector were misleading.
They said civil service figures also include long-term illnesses, but sick leave levels were otherwise similar.They said civil service figures also include long-term illnesses, but sick leave levels were otherwise similar.
Union spokesman John Corey said the "big stick approach to addressing sick leave... just demoralises staff".Union spokesman John Corey said the "big stick approach to addressing sick leave... just demoralises staff".
"Unfair treatment over pay, threats to their jobs from privatisation and expenditure cuts all contribute to stress and sick leave levels - these matters need to be addressed," he said."Unfair treatment over pay, threats to their jobs from privatisation and expenditure cuts all contribute to stress and sick leave levels - these matters need to be addressed," he said.
However, Mr Robinson said the situation would be reviewed every three months.
He said 40% of civil servants never took a day off, but were being placed under great strain by a further 10 or 11% who, he said, were "frankly swinging the lead".
Last month Mr Robinson claimed urgent action was needed to tackle the problem of absenteeism in the civil service.Last month Mr Robinson claimed urgent action was needed to tackle the problem of absenteeism in the civil service.
He said the problem cost the tax payer more than £24m last year - a figure that's expected to rise.He said the problem cost the tax payer more than £24m last year - a figure that's expected to rise.
The Executive will also hold an initial discussion on the Workplace 2010 initiative, a five-year programme to modernise and rationalise civil service accommodation. The executive will also hold an initial discussion on the Workplace 2010 initiative, a five-year programme to modernise and rationalise civil service accommodation.
Ministers will also consider a paper on the location of public sector jobs.
This week's meetings of the British Irish Council at Stormont and the North South Ministerial Council at Armagh will also be reviewed with reports by the first and deputy first ministers.