City Employees Average 10.6 Sick Days a Year

Josh Pringle with Stephanie Kinsella
Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Sick days cost Ottawa taxpayers $28 million in 2007.

Auditor General Alain Lalonde's report to City Council shows city employees averaged 10.6 paid sick days two years ago.

Staff in the Traffic Operations Department each took 20 sick days in 2007, while staff in the Employment Assistance Centre called in sick 18 days.

The report also shows platoons B and D with the Ottawa Paramedic Service each took 17 days off.

Lalonde says some employees used questionable doctor's notes in order to justify the sick leave.

Lalonde's report says the number of sick days has decreased to about 9.9.

The Auditor General says decreasing the number of sick days per employee is not a priority for the city, and sick leave will continue to be a challenge until an attendance program is put in place.