SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon has expressed concern over the levels of sickness absence in the National Probation Service, as a new report finds that sickness absence is costing the service £31.6 million.

Mr Bacon was speaking as the National Audit Office published its report on the management of sickness absence in the National Probation Service.  The report finds that absence through stress-related illness alone accounts for one third of all days lost, costing the taxpayer  £9.8 million.

Mr Bacon, a member of the Commons public accounts committee, said:

“The job of a probation officer is not easy and at times can be very stressful. However, the fact that there is a big variation in levels of sickness absence in different parts of the country suggests there is plenty of scope for improvement”. 

“At the moment it looks uncomfortably like a culture of staff absenteeism.”

26 April 2006
 

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See also:
NAO REPORT: Sickness Absence in the Probation Service
 

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