Rotherham MBC fights back against absence

Summary:

Cutting absence has improved front-line services at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Paul Suff finds out how the Yorkshire local authority did it, including its innovative physiotherapy partnership for staff suffering with musculoskeletal conditions.

OVER the past five years, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) has cut absence levels by 35%, with the number of days lost per full-time- equivalent employee per year falling from 14 in 2002 to nine in 2007–08. This accomplishment places the council in the top quartile for similar authorities for absence. It also means RMBC has saved up to…

Paul Suff is contributing editor of Occupational Health [at Work].

Author: Suff P

Tags absence case study sickness absence

Occupational Health at Work October/November 2008 (vol. 05/3) pp27-29

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