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<p>The Civil Service recognises that good workforce health and wellbeing is fundamental
to delivering brilliant public services. We support people so that they can remain
at work where possible and to return as soon as they are ready following sickness
absence.</p><p> </p><p>Cabinet Office statistics show that Civil Service annual Average
Working Days Lost (AWDL) per staff year has reduced from 9.8 days in 2007 to 7.0 days
for year ending 31 March 2017, its lowest recorded level. This demonstrates the significant
progress made in reducing sickness absence across the Civil Service.</p><p> </p><p>Departments
continue to monitor their sickness absence data, in order to take continuing action
to improve management of absences and prevention of absence, including through supporting
workforce health and wellbeing. While no formal Civil Service wide assessment has
been made of the reasons behind the reductions, this continuing attention and action
is a key contributor.</p><p> </p><p>As for all employers, presenteeism is potentially
an issue in the Civil Service. We have made no assessment of the effect of a potential
culture of presenteeism on the long term trend in sickness absence. However we are
exploring how to measure presenteeism using the Civil Service People Survey, and this
might inform such an assessment in the future.</p><p>This is one example of how we
are continuously improving our support to managers to help them manage health and
wellbeing, including presenteeism, positively and effectively so that the Civil Service
delivers the high level of service that the public demand and expect.</p>
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