Post-op recovery, mental health, and musculoskeletal problems account for just over 50 per cent of staff sickness leave at Gateshead Council, says report.
Gateshead Council’s annual health and safety report has identified the three most common causes of sick leave within the authority, namely operation recovery, joint and muscle conditions, and “none work-related” depression, anxiety, and stress.
The current figures show a minor decrease in post-operative recovery and joint and muscle issues, but mental health-related leave has risen again.
According to the council’s report, a major contributing factor is the average age of council employees, with 47 per cent being 50 years old or above.
The report states it is “no surprise” given the average age of workers that musculoskeletal problems and post-operative recovery contribute heavily to staff absences.
The average age of council workers has been a cause of concern for several years.
Blaydon councillor Steve Ronchetti told the council’s corporate resources committee in April 2022 that the local authority’s tree surgeons were too old to get up trees.
The local authority has undertaken a review into stress and how the authority can mitigate its impact on employees.
According to the audit, the council is carrying out a organisation-wide stress management risk assessment and updating its wellbeing policy.
Musculoskeletal injuries also remain the main cause of days lost as a result of supposed work-related injuries.
According to the council’s report, there are “no common trends” to the injuries but the local authority now intends to carry out a review across services with the highest level of absenteeism as a result of muscle and joint problems.
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The statistics of these three problem areas across the past three years are as follows:
Non-work-related stress, anxiety, depression:
2023-24: 34.43 per cent
2022-23: 29.07per cent
2021-22: 37.19 per cent
Post-op recovery:
2023-24: 14.01 per cent
2022-23: 16.29 per cent
2021-22: 10.93 per cent
Musculoskeletal problems:
2023-24: 12.89 per cent
2022-23: 11.66 per cent
2021-22: 14.18 per cent
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