The civil service lost over 17,000 more days to staff sickness in 2024 compared to the previous year – with coughs, colds and flu recorded as the key culprit.
The recently-published States Annual Report and Accounts revealed that sickness within the 9,800-strong organisation continued to climb last year.
In 2024, sickness totalled 75,317 days – the equivalent of over 200 years – compared to 58,020 in 2023.
Just over a quarter of sick days last year were attributed to colds, coughs and influenza.
The average sick days per employee also increased from 7.1 in 2023, to 8.8 in 2024.
The report said the increase could be “partly attributed to better recording of previously uncaptured sickness”.
It added that “sickness panels” were introduced to ensure that employees receive support on their return to work.
“These panels help identify and implement any necessary adjustments to aid the reintegration process,” the report explained.
“Additionally, toolkits and training programmes were launched to equip line managers with the skills and resources needed to support staff in remaining in the workplace.
“This includes promoting the provision of reasonable adjustments and encouraging employees to seek early support through the employee assistance programme.”
It comes just months after Express reported on a high number of staff off sick with anxiety or stress in the Health Department – with 761 mental health-related absences in 2024.
Health lost 35,317 days to sickness in 2024 – an average of 13.6 days per employee.
This was a notable rise on the prior year, when Health staff took an average of 10.9 days off.
The top cause of absence were colds, coughs, and flus, with 1,650 instances. This was followed by 953 instances of gastrointestinal problems and 761 instances of anxiety and stress.
The high level of sickness leave was due to be reviewed by Health’s new Director of Workforce, Ian Tegerdine.
The new figure show that sickness absences in Government are still well above pre-pandemic levels.
In 2019, civil servants were absent for just 42,430 days in total.