Drop in sick days despite Games fever

PUBLIC sector workers took fewer sick days this summer, despite the temptation to stay at home and watch the 
Olympics.

Figures show that across Scotland there were 5000 fewer days lost through illness in the two-week period between July 27 and August 12 – a total of 58,000 compared with 63,000 in the same period in 2011.

At Edinburgh City Council, sick days fell by 901 from 5789 to 4888.

Scottish Tories today claimed the reduction in sick days suggested workers were boosted by Team GB’s success at the London Games, resulting in an improvement in their own health and wellbeing, possibly through increased exercise levels and improved diet.

Deputy leader and health spokesman Jackson Carlaw said: “This is firm evidence that the UK team’s success in London had a real impact on people in Scotland. Perhaps when they were feeling unwell last year they stayed under the covers, but in 2012 thousands were buoyed by the Olympics to the point they were determined to get into work. Scotland was completely enchanted by the performance of UK athletes.”