Local authorities offer prizes to boost staff motivation

Date: 05/11/2010

Councils are offering prizes to boost employee motivation and discourage sick days, according to research.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalists uncovered 25 councils which were using bribes to encourage staff to strive for 100 per cent attendance.

The rewards included financial incentives, store vouchers and additional days off.

This news comes after research by mental health charity Mind revealed that one in five workers has taken time off work for stress, and the majority (62 per cent) of workers think their boss isn't doing enough to boost employee motivation and morale.

John Ransford, chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA), said: "Sickness in councils has been coming down over the years – it's been getting better but it certainly doesn't compare with best practice in the private sector.

"Sickness needs to be managed - we need to be far sharper on the reasons why people are off - interviewing when they come back - to look at their sickness."

The Mind research also showed that 70 per cent of workers who have taken stress-related absence would like to talk to their boss about it, but feel it is a workplace taboo.

Written by David Farrior 

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