Warwickshire County Council reports that it is finally making headway with its staff sickness troubles – but stubbornly-high stress and mental health absences continue to rise.

The average number of sick days per full-time council employee jumped from 8.99 days to 10.62 over a two-year period but the latest data shows that trickled down to 10.53 by the end of quarter two 2025-26 – the end of September.

That number is a rolling year-long average, meaning previous increases are still skewing the current number. 

Monthly data shows the numbers are coming down across the communities, children and young people, resources and social care directorates, while the council's quarterly performance report states "the percentage of employees with no recorded absence in the past 12 months is increasing".

However, more than a third of the working days lost are to stress and mental health with that cause accounting for an average of 3.80 days lost per full-time employee, a number that is still gradually rising. 

Set against the current full-time equivalent headcount, that equates to more than 16,800 lost days per year to stress and mental health issues alone. 

The report, which is to be considered by the Reform UK councillors who lead major service areas on Thursday, states: "Rolling sickness absence levels have reduced overall and show signs of stabilisation, bringing the council closer to its target of eight days per full-time equivalent. 

"Leading measures of monthly sickness data present a more positive picture. However, stress and mental health remain the primary drivers of sickness, making this an ongoing priority. 

"While continued signs of improvement are encouraging, sustained progress will require time and consistent implementation of the attendance action plan."

It is a matter that those elected to the previous Conservative-led council had raised a number of times with senior staff introducing a range of measures, including case conferences with the council's occupational health provider, the targeting of cases lasting more than nine months and "a stress and mental health inspections approach" within services.

In February, chief executive Monica Fogarty admitted "we feel we need to do rather more than monitor" the situation and that the council "can't just accept this level any longer".

This latest data is presented differently and includes narratives from the executive directors in charge of areas where performance is tracked. 

Executive director for resources Rob Powell expressed confidence that progress is being made.

"These are staff absence levels which have stabilised and should reduce following resolution of a significant number of longstanding cases which is releasing manager capacity to focus on the early stages of absence," he wrote. 

Reform UK cabinet members and any other elected officials granted scope to speak by leader Cllr George Finch will be able to pass comment or ask questions at Thursday's meeting.