Absenteeism in the Construction Sector v Absenteeism in the Private & Public Sectors

Have you ever stopped to think why within the building and construction industry absenteeism levels were as low as 1/2 of a% even at the height of the boom. Meanwhile in the private sector the average was 3% and double (and more) in the public sector....

Is this a case of, the better/more generous the paid sick pay policy the greater incentive to go out sick? or Could your policies/generosity be leading to greater incidence/levels of absenteeism...

Join the debate.. Is there anything we can do about this ever spiralling overhead or is it something everyone just wants to ignore?

What needs to be done, what can be done. Now were not trying to downplay genuine illness, nor do we recommend a policy of presenteesim, where the employee attends when really they shouldn't, however we are curious to get your thoughts and suggestions on why people in the building industry who normally have no paid sick leave entitlement, are out in all weathers, mixing in environments and coming into contact with lots of other people and one would assume representative of the wider working population... however for some unknown reason these particular workers don't appear to get sick... Coincidence or maybe there just a very healthy bunch, but we doubt it (judging by the breakfast roll queue) or is this a possibility that the better the paid entitlement, the greater incentive to go out sick.....

Either way we'd love to get your thoughts, suggestions....

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There is defo a need for some reform in the public sector, in particular the idea that some people treat their sick leave entitlement as extra annual leave is nuts - so some of mates in the public sector brag about!. honest days work for honest days pay. its not that hard to accept.