More than 9 sick days taken annually, on average, by government workers
The number of sick days taken by federal public servants has increased steadily since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report.
In 2020-21, when the majority of federal office employees were working remotely, the average number of sick days taken was 5.9, noted The Canadian Press (CP), citing data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS).
That figure rose to 8.1 in 2021-22, 8.8 in 2022-23, and reached 9.2 days in 2023-24. These numbers remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, which ranged from 9.6 to 10.4 days annually between 2017 and 2020.
The Treasury Board said that the average sick day usage includes employees who did not use any sick leave as well as those who used banked sick leave before accessing long-term disability benefits, according to the report.
Last year, the TBS noted that workers took a total of 2,191 sick days between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2024, significantly higher than the 1,708 comparable figure in 2023, according to a previous report. Departments such as the Canada Border Services Agency and Correctional Service Canada consistently reported the highest sick day usage between 2017-18 and 2023-24.
A federal survey published earlier this year also found that employees in these departments were among the least likely to recommend their workplace to others.
Working from home while sick
Meanwhile, Catherine Connelly, professor and business research chair at McMaster University’s department of human resources and management, told CP that there’s the possibility that people are working from home even when they’re only a little bit sick.
“You can maybe still work, not take a sick day, but also rest extra cause you’re not commuting,” Connelly said, according to the report posted in CTV News. “Because of that extra rest, maybe don’t get really sick, so sick that you have to take some time off.”
The full implementation of the federal government’s return-to-office mandate for workers took effect in September 2024. And Ontario Premier Doug Ford is now urging the federal government to mandate a full-time return to the office for federal public servants, according to a report.
Managing employee absences
Here are some best practices that employers can implement in their sick leave programs, according to Danielle Levine, business and marketing professional at Excelforce.
- Be flexible. Offer rollovers and allow leave to be used in small increments. Employees should feel comfortable using sick time when they need it, not hoarding it for emergencies.
- Reduce burnout. Offer extended sick leave or wellness days for long-tenured employees. Consider introducing sabbatical options as part of your benefits package.
- Encourage use. Remind employees to take time off when they’re sick, and ensure managers support this. Presenteeism (showing up sick) can lower morale and productivity across teams.
