Staff sickness rates at West Dunbartonshire Council have dropped to a four-year low.
New figures show a decrease of 3,147 full time equivalent (FTE) days lost between April 2019 and March 2020 compared to the same period the previous year.
This is around a six percent decrease and the lowest its been for four years.
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In total, 52,132 days were lost across the council - which chiefs say equates to around £6.75m in lost productivity.
Minor illness was the top reason for absence followed by acute medical conditions and personal stress. Long term absence accounts for 79 percent of council-wide absence, an increase compared to the previous year.
Work related stress decreased by two percent and musculo-skeletal injuries dropped by three percent compared to the previous year.
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A report which went to the housing committee last week read: “The level of sickness absence attributed to both personal and work related stress is a concern and work continues to build a culture of openness when discussing mental health.
“Feedback from the Employee Wellbeing Group is that some employees are beginning to feel more comfortable discussing such matters with their managers and so people are accessing appropriate support at an earlier stage.
“It is very positive to note that the 2019/20 level of absence is the lowest recorded in the last four years, showing an improved picture even when compared to the previously best performing year in 2016/17.
“The Employee Wellbeing Group continues to make progress through wellbeing initiatives, employee support mechanisms and working with trade unions and partners to identify and address areas for improvement.”
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