Sickness absence is an on-going problem for all employers, but to accept high sickness absence as a "way of a life" is unacceptable. This is apparently what seems to have happened at the DSA and DVLA where on average each employee is off sick for nearly 3 weeks each year! The fact that these agencies apparently function despite this amazingly high sickness rate should ring alarm bells in itself. A little efficiency mixed with tightening up of sickness absence procedures would, I am sure, have a dramatic effect on both productivity and sickness absence, probably resulting in a reduction in staffing.
CONCLUSION - Do not accept high sickness rates as the norm - tackle them head on and take professional advice where necessary.
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