Council chiefs to sign off on plans to improve employee health and wellbeing amid ageing staff

Gateshead Council chiefs are expected to sign off a new initiative to lower sickness absences and improve staff well-being amid an ageing workforce.

A report to the local authority's cabinet has revealed 26% of staff are aged between 46-55 and prone to musculoskeletal problems. An earlier report from September also claimed musculoskeletal problems was among the top three causes of work absences within the council, alongside post-op recovery; and stress, anxiety and depression.

According to the stats, the percentage of sick days taken and their attributable cause from 2023/24 are:

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• non-work-related stress, anxiety, and depression: 34.43%

• post-op recovery: 14.01%

• musculoskeletal problems: 12.89%

Gateshead Council's 'workforce wellbeing strategy' documents also states employees over 40 often have several caring responsibilities; longer hours to fit in around home routines; and increased isolation, sometimes due to working from home.

Council documents state: "It is vital that managers are alive to the pressures faced by particular age groups, and they regularly check in with team members making wellbeing a focus of one-to-ones."

The documents also acknowledge a lack of "well-being support and understanding" can lead to long-term sickness absence and staff leaving employment, negatively impacting an employee's income and quality of life.

Coun Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said: “The new employee wellbeing strategy reflects our belief that our people are our greatest asset and our commitment to being an employer of choice. Everyone’s wellbeing matters and we’ll work together to help individuals thrive at work.

"Our ambition is to create a healthy, content, resilient and productive workforce that delivers quality services for each other and Gateshead's communities."