The following table shows how many and what percentage of civilian MOD staff have had more than two periods of sickness absence of less than five days for the 12 months ending 31 December 2005,2006, 2007 and 31 March 2008.
Information prior to calendar year 2005 is compiled on a previous definition for monitoring sickness absence which is not consistent with figures for calendar year 2005 onwards.
Non Industrial (%) Industrial (%) Total (%) 1 January to 31 December 2005 11,660 18.2 2,310 15.6 13,970 17.7 1 January to 31 December 2006 10,840 17.9 2,330 16.4 13,170 17.6 1 January to 31 December 2007 10,310 18.0 1,940 14.8 12,250 17.4 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 10,050 17.8 1,880 14.7 11,920 17.2 Notes: 1. Data exclude staff in Trading Funds, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and Locally Engaged Civilians for whom sickness absence data are not readily available. 2. Data presented reflect the current Cabinet Office definition, and excludes absence days that occurred on weekends, annual leave and bank holidays. 3. Totals have been rounded to the nearest 10, totals and sub totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts.
MOD is committed to reducing sickness absence. Employees included in the table may only have accumulated three working days absence so the figures may appear artificially high. MOD offers guidance and training to line managers on managing absence. It actively encourages the use of Return to Work Interviews and has trigger points in place for the commencement of formal management action.