More and more people are reporting sick in the care and care services in Örebro municipality. Compared to last year, the figure in percentage points doubled in April. Among social welfare employees, sick leave was over 12 percent.

The worst affected is the home service, where almost 15 percent of the workforce has been on sick leave, which is twice as many as April last year. 

- This is mainly because you are now very careful, that you should be at home if you have the slightest symptoms, says Lena Larsson, human resources manager at Örebro Municipality.

Follows the recommendations

The municipality has always followed the recommendations issued by the Public Health Authority, she says:

- This led to an increased absence when the recommendations first came in March. But it has gone back to normal levels in all operations, except in healthcare and care that are most affected in this situation, says Lena Larsson.

Mapping competence

The fact that the home service has a high absence is traditionally nothing strange, she says.

- They have often had high sick leave, but it is clear that 15 percent is high.

Niklas Camén, salary manager at Örebro Municipality, states that the figures do not represent the whole of April.

- So there is a risk that the absence is higher than that, he says.

The municipality has now carried out a mapping of competences that makes it possible to move staff from other administrations if needed.

- We have tried to build this on a voluntary basis in the first place. We have also asked if you are willing to be able to move temporarily, says Lena Larsson.