Following the finding by Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, that the number of days of sick leave taken by staff working for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reached 13,331 during the finical year of 2017/18, the Member has spoken of her concern about this high level and called on the Welsh Government to undertake an investigation.

Commenting on the results of the Freedom of Information Request, Janet said:

“None of us can help becoming unwell at one point or another, or the need this creates to take time off work.  However, the figures I have obtained for staff at Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are extremely worrying.

“What we are seeing is that in comparison to 2015/16, there were 3,354 extra days taken as sick leave in 2017/18.  It follows that some serious questions need answering.

“Going forward, I have written to the Welsh Government asking why there has been a major annual increase in the number of sickness absence days at NRW, and for a report on the impact of 13,331 days of sick leave on the services offered by the public body in 2017/18”.  

ENDS

Written Assembly Question to Lesly Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs:

Will the Cabinet Secretary state why there has been a major annual increase in the number of sickness absence days at NRW between 2015/16 and 2017/18, and provide a report on the impact 13,331 days of sick leave on the services offered by the public body in 2017/18?

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Freedom of Information Request