Analysis: Public sector more geared up to supporting staff who are ill

IN THE current economic climate there is no scope for slack. Employers are reviewing every aspect of their business to identify areas where cost-savings can be made.

The belief that "sick absence" was tolerated in the public sector is a thing of the past, as is demonstrated by the robust moves taken by the NHS to combat sick absence.

But why have absence figures in the public sector historically been higher than in the private sector? This is not simply a case of managers being lenient in their management of absenteeism.

The public sector is more geared up towards supporting staff who are sick. Systems are more transparent and information is more readily available on combating stress in the workplace, making sickness absence less taboo.

Typically, the sick pay benefits can be more generous in the public sector, with a large number of private-sector organisations offering only statutory sick pay. No pay while off can make employees review how ill they are.

In the private sector, productivity bonus is common and if staff aren't in work this will potentially impact the chance to earn a bonus. The public sector does not have this sort of incentive.

• Mandy Laurie is a partner in the employment team at Dundas & Wilson in Edinburgh.