“There are always things we can do to help and we continue to engage with our staff.”
Council sick day statistics in Lagan Valley show a dramatic drop in stress levels.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s recent corporate committee was provided with an updated report for the year ending December 30, 2025, showing a total of 10,318 days lost to illness from January 2025.
Stress is consistently the number one cause of absence, but the figure has fallen by a third in the last quarter from 997 to 651 days lost, supported by a two pronged counselling approach.
READ MORE: Hilden ‘landmark’ decision saves Lisburn heritage from ‘bulldozer’.
READ MORE: Councillor hits out over department not removing ‘illegal’ speed signs.
Castlereagh South Alliance councillor Jamie Harpur said: “It is worthwhile noting that stress, mental health and depression is down this quarter.
“I also notice that musculo-skeletal levels are down – 572 days, but they are still quite high.
“Is there anything we, as a council, can do to think outside the box in how we can tackle this?”
He added:”I am just trying to understand that if we have Usel service, why do we already tender out counselling services ourselves?”
Usel is a provider of employment support for people with disabilities or health conditions in Northern Ireland and is connected to the Department of Communities.
Council initiatives to lower absence levels have also included introducing craft events for employees to lower stress levels as well as lunchtime Pilates to tackle muscle and joint pains and movement problems.
A council officer said: “There are always things we can do to help and we continue to engage with our staff.
“The council maintains its partnership with Usel, a government based organisation that supports employers in managing absences related to physical impairments and mental health challenges.
“Their services, including physiotherapy and counselling are provided at no cost to the council, but there is only a limited amount of people they can help at any given time and requires a direct referral.
“Whereas our counselling service is completely confidential and available to all our employees.
“As you can see mental health and stress continues to be the main cause of absence but it is reducing and counselling is one of the key ways to prevent absence in the first place as well as to support employees on their return to work.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login