Sick leave in public sector cost £44 million over three years

New figures published by the Cabinet Office

New figures have been published showing what it costs government when members of the public sector take sick leave.

Over the past three years the number of working days lost was around 300,000 at an estimated cost of £44.3 million.

Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh submitted a Tynwald question for written answer asking the Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford how much public sector sickness absence has cost in each of the last three years.

The minister provided the following breakdown:

• £13,435,000 in 2023/24.
• £15,300,000 in 2024/25.
• £15,650,000 in 2025/26.

Meanwhile the number of workdays lost ranges from 102,613 to 97,168.

The number of days lost per full-time equivalent goes from 13.1 between the two years 2023-25 to 12.2 across the last financial year so there has been a decrease despite it costing more.

The UK Civil Service reports an average of approximately 8.2 working days lost per employee per year.

In the Channel Islands, Jersey reports approximately 9.7 days per employee and Guernsey reports higher levels at approximately 11.4 days per employee.

The Cabinet Office says it recognises that sickness absence represents both a financial cost and a workforce wellbeing issue adding it continues to take a proactive and targeted approach to management and improvement. 

This includes a comprehensive review which it says is to ensure timely access, improved case management, and more effective support for employees, particularly in supporting a return to work. 

In addition it says it's focussing on strengthening early intervention to prevent short-term absence from becoming long-term. 

The Cabinet Office says it will also strive to put a continued focus on mental health, and musculoskeletal support, which it says reflects the primary drivers of absence across the public sector. 

You can find the full written response HERE.