Mental health-related absence
Havering Council is addressing mental health-related absence as the primary cause of long-term staff sickness.
Havering Council reported in March 2026 that mental health-related absence remains the primary cause of long-term staff sickness, consistent with wider trends across London. This finding was part of the Wellbeing Annual Report 2025, which also noted a decrease in overall staff sickness absence for the council.
The council's average number of days lost per employee due to sickness decreased from 10.8 in 2023/24 to 10.2 in 2024/25, placing it ninth among London boroughs for reduced sickness absence. However, long-term sickness absence, at 6.9 days lost per employee, is slightly above the London average of 6.4 days.
Key facts
- Mental health-related absence is the primary cause of long-term staff sickness at Havering Council. Source
- Havering Council's average staff sickness absence decreased from 10.8 days in 2023/24 to 10.2 days in 2024/25. Source
- Havering Council's long-term sickness absence averaged 6.9 days lost per employee in 2024/25. Source
- The London average for long-term sickness absence was 6.4 days per employee. 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.