Memo: Sick Leave Statistics for 2008-2010 – Benchmark Data (Aug. 23, 2011)

Memorandum
Date: Aug. 23, 2011
To: Deans, Directors, Department Heads and Administrators
From: Michelle Berner, Director, Total Compensation
Subject: Sick Leave Statistics for 2008-2010 – Benchmark Data

As you may be aware, the Human Resources department provides the Executive and the Board of Governors an annual report on key health indicators at the University. The report provides a snapshot of the health of our staff and faculty and includes statistics on the amount of paid sick leave accessed by staff (not faculty).

Data on sick leave usage is also used by faculties and departments in conjunction with HR Advisory Services to manage attendance issues. The University has established Attendance Management Programs for employees in CUPE 2950 and CUPE 116; however, it is possible for work units to establish programs for any of their employee groups. Benchmark data on sick leave is particularly important in assessing the need for such programs, and once implemented, assessing their effect on managing absenteeism.

We are attaching benchmark sick leave statistics for 2008 – 2010. The data is for staff only, and is representative of the faculties and departments who report their data using our on-line sick leave reporting system. Please use the statistics as a tool to benchmark your department/faculty’s sick leave usage against the rest of the University.

If you have any questions regarding these statistics please contact Stephanie Mah at (604) 822-6823 or stephanie.mah@ubc.ca. If you would like further information on managing absenteeism, please contact your Human Resources Advisor.

Sick Leave Statistics for Key Employee Groups for 2008 – 2010

The chart below summarizes the average number of sick leave days taken over 2008 – 2010 for the following employee groups: IUOE 882; CUPE 116; BCGEU (Childcare); CUPE 2950; Non-Union Technicians & Research Assistants (TRAs); CUPE 2278 (Non-Credit Sessional Instructors only); Management & Professional (M&P) (AAPS, SUDs, and Excluded M&P); BCGEU Okanagan; and Executive Administrative.

Staff employee groups represented at UBC’s Okanagan campus include: M&P, BCGEU Okanagan, and Executive Administrative. With the exception of BCGEU Okanagan, the other employee groups at the Okanagan campus have been included in their general employee group. For example, M&P employees at the Okanagan campus were included along with M&P employees at the Vancouver campus.

The chart is based on submitted sick leave data, and as such may not be completely representative of all departments and faculties (on average, about 49% of staff full-time equivalents were captured). In addition, the Executive Administrative group, which consists of non-union clerical and administrative staff, is a small data set, so results may not be representative.

Average Number of Sick Days Taken by Employee Group 2008 – 2010 (Both Campuses)

The average number of sick days taken per employee per year in 2008, 2009, and 2010 was 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8, respectively.

We will continue to monitor sick leave utilization and provide benchmark statistics.

View this memo as PDF.