Staff Sickness Absence
Havering Council is addressing staff sickness absence, with overall days lost decreasing, but long-term absence remains a challenge.
Havering Council reported a continued downward trend in staff sickness absence in March 2026, with the average number of days lost per employee decreasing from 10.8 in 2023/24 to 10.2 in 2024/25. This improvement placed the council ninth among London boroughs for reduced sickness absence, according to the Wellbeing Annual Report 2025.
Despite the overall reduction, long-term sickness absence remains a challenge for Havering Council, with an average of 6.9 days lost per employee in 2024/25, slightly above the London average of 6.4 days. Mental health-related absence continues to be the primary cause, consistent with wider trends across the capital, the Wellbeing Annual Report 2025 indicated.
Greenwich Council's Organisation and Communities Scrutiny Panel reviewed performance reports from Human Resources in January 2026. This review would typically include metrics related to staff sickness absence, which tracks the number of days employees are absent from work due to illness.
Key facts
- Havering Council's average staff sickness absence decreased to 10.2 days per employee in 2024/25. Source
- Havering Council's long-term sickness absence was 6.9 days per employee in 2024/25. Source
- Mental health-related absence is the primary cause of long-term sickness at Havering Council. Source
- Havering Council was ninth among London boroughs for reduced sickness absence in 2024/25. Source
- Havering Council's long-term sickness absence of 6.9 days was above the London average of 6.4 days. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.