Reduction in staff sickness means £1m boost for ratepayers

In the report, which has just been released, the Auditor notes that for the three-year period from 2007-2010 Lisburn City Council had an average of 8.67 days absent, compared to 10.01 days for the three-year period from 2004-2007.

Absenteeism in Lisburn City Council reached its peak in 2000-03 when 13.97 days were reported. Since then the rate has steadily reduced with a decrease of 5.3 days from the peak. This reduction means the council has obtained 1.4 million in additional staff productivity over that period.

In the report the Chief Local Government Auditor said: "This rate (for Lisburn) is significantly below the Northern Ireland council 2009-10 average. There was no discernable pattern in the Council's absenteeism rate within the 2007-10 period.

"Absenteeism cost the Council an average of 519,000 in lost productivity each year during the 2007-10 period. This cost could have been reduced by 46,000 each year if the Council had matched the lowest average annual absenteeism rate for the period.

"The fall in absenteeism rates, between the 2004-07 and 2007-10 period, has meant an average annual productivity gain of 80,000."

The report also noted: "18% of absenteeism in the Council was the result of stress, depression, mental health and fatigue."

Magherafelt has had the lowest rate over the last three years, at 7.91 days, while Craigavon, Derry, Carrickfergus and Ballymoney had more than double that rate.