Dear Editor, Your report on mental health problems amongst local government workers on page 12, Monday, August 10, and the relevant comment on page 2 , that day barely scratches the surface of the different facets of cost with regard to absenteeism in the public sector.
Quote, “the number of working days lost, due to , depression , stress and tiredness among town hall employees increased by 45 per cent in April to June 2009, compared to the same period in 2008”.
As I am not medically qualified, I will concentrate on “ tiredness”. Is that when you take unauthorised leave on both Friday and Monday, to party over a good weekend ?
The private sector would buckle under such figures.
The skivers create the stress, because those who remain at work are left to cope with greater volumes.
Such undue levels of absenteeism can only be cured by brave leadership.
Simon M. Wall, Austen Place, Edgbaston
