Stress-related absences up by third among Shropshire Council employees
Stress-related absences have increased by a third among Shropshire Council employees in a year.
An annual report on the council's health and safety performance also revealed that the number of incidents that were reported to the Health and Safety Executive increased during the last financial year.
The percentage of stress-related absences has risen from 16 per cent to 21 per cent.
And the percentage of absences relating to work-related stress has also risen from 2.63 per cent last year to 4.95 per cent.
Councillor Roger Evans, the council's Lib Dem leader, suggested the council keeps an eye on its employees.
He said: "Stress-related absences rose by a third.
"With us asking more and more of our staff, I would hope we're keeping an eye on it.
"Some of it is maybe home, but some of it is obviously inside the council."
The health and safety report says: "Targeted work continues between human resources advice and project team, the occupational health team, the health and safety team and the network of staff supporters counselling service to try to reduce stress related absences through the use of the stress risk assessments, action plans and training for managers.
"All support mechanisms are based on identifying work related and personal stress at an early stage and taking early intervention through referral to the occupational health team, access to a counselling service and instigating an action plan."
Councillor Steve Charmley, portfolio holder for corporate and commercial support, told cabinet members the authority is "comparable or better than" neighbouring authorities overall in terms of health and safety.
He added: "Incidents that have been reported to the HSE have risen slightly, but the figures are low and relatively normal.
"With schools 140 are accredited as safer schools which is really positive and there's a long list of other schools working towards it.
"113 courses have been held with more than 1,100 delegates attending courses such as asbestos awareness."
Stress now covers, anxiety, depression and mental health.
