MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2025, Issue 92 - Clarification: Absence indicator wording from P&R Committee

    • Report by:

      Angela Fegan, Executive Officer – Customer Services & Organisational Development

    • TN Number:

      092-25

    • Subject:

      Clarification: Absence indicator wording from P&R Committee

    • Responsible Officer:

      Alistair McDonald – Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

    • The purpose of this technical note is to update Elected Members on the query from Policy & Resources Committee on 28 January in relation to wording of the sickness absence indicator in the CS&OD section of the Six-monthly HGIOS Report (PR/004/25/JG)

    • Clarification was sought on the reference in the performance indicator table of the report to a new type of absence. This was an error, which occurred when inserting the latest update into the Council’s performance management tool Pentana and an incomplete set of wording was added. The text should have been reported as follows (in bold).

    Performance indicator table

    Performance indicator table

    Performance indicator table
    Text included in Six monthly HGIOS Correct text that should have been included

    Across a number of sectors there has been a rise in absence. The LGBF also reflects this within local government, and the Council is no different. Q2 has seen a slight reduction in comparison to the same quarter last year.

    Work continues as to how best support and manage the emergence of this new type of absence and associated impact on WDL/FTE. Improvement in absence remains required to prevent a further rise in absence figures.

    Across a number of sectors there has been a rise in absence. The LGBF also reflects this within local government, and the Council is no different. Q2 has seen a slight reduction in comparison to the same quarter last year.

    The impact of Covid related absence is ongoing, particularly as both new Covid and long-Covid absence cases are reported. Work continues on how best to support and manage this ongoing additional type of absence and its impact on service areas.

    • In recent years, updates relating to absence had included reference to Covid and the Pandemic, with Covid absence initially reported separately before being included as part of wider absence reporting following the pandemic and recovery

    • Whilst extended text and separate reporting on Covid is no longer relevant or required, how the Council manages Covid and long Covid cases does remain an ongoing consideration which is why a reference has been retained in 2024/25 reporting.