NEW figures show Kirklees Council staff are taking nearly two weeks sick leave each year.

Employees missed an average of 9.33 days through illness in 2011/12 – well above the target of eight.

The council’s manual workers missed an average of 13.33 days through sickness last year while non-manual staff were absent for 9.03 days.

The figures for the 17,694 Kirklees employees were published this week in the council’s Corporate Performance Report.

A Kirklees spokesman said yesterday that the absence figures were getting better.

“Overall attendance levels have been improving for a significant period of time,” he said.

“That trend is continuing, despite the council going through major changes in its structure and staffing.

“When parts of the workforce are going through review or a period of change, they are supported with employee healthcare and learning and development programmes.

“We use clear and rigorous procedures to manage the attendance of staff and the figures for Kirklees compare favourably with other councils in the region.

“Employees can access counselling and advice on lifestyle, diet and general physical and mental well-being.

“They can also receive professional support on any health issues that may be of concern and managers work with their teams through occupational health services, which help to reduce periods of absence.

“It is important that no-one feels they must to come into work if they are ill. At the same time, we do all we can to support wellbeing and attendance.

“The council also uses flexible ways of working so that employees can blend home and work responsibilities in a realistic way.

“This contributes to general wellbeing, which leads to improved attendance and productivity.”

The report also provided monthly sickness rates for each council department.

Most recent figures:

Children and Young People Directorate: January 3.69%; February 3.4%; March 4%.

Place Directorate: January 3.49%; February 3.28%; March 3.6%.

Resources Directorate: January 4.26%; February 4.09%; March 3.82.

Wellbeing and Communities Directorate: January 4%; February 4.41%; March 4.01%.