This article is from page 10 of the 2013-04-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
CLARE County Council has one of the best employee attendance rates in the country, surpassed just marginally by Wicklow when it comes to certified leave and Cavan for uncertified leave.
The percentage of working days lost through uncertified sickness and absenteeism at Clare County Council is at a mere .35 per cent, while certified days lost through certified sickness and absenteeism is at 3.65 per cent.
Eddie Power from the local authorities Human Resource Department believes a newly implemented Attendance Management Policy is playing a significant role in maintaining high attendance levels among the 800 staff members.
“It manages the best possible way the attendance at work, and addresses any major underlining issue staff may have,” he said.
“If there is a pattern of absenteeism we have a policy of sitting down with the person,” he added.
The HR officer said that staff support is in place in the form of a “staff welfare officer” who speaks with people in confidence to discuss any issues they may be having.
Professional counsellors from outside the local authority service are also employed if required by staff members. This service is strictly confidential, he said.
In cases where people may be absent for just one day due to illness, they are also required to sit down with their line manager for a “brief chat”.
“I think the figures here are fairly representative and show a good performance,” said Mr Power.
“We do our best to manage it and give support where need and when required.”
The current Attendance Management Policy was introduced to Clare County Council in 2011.