Between 2019 and 2023, the number of people unable to work due to long term sickness, particularly those reporting depression, anxiety, or related conditions, increased by 386,000 - a 40% rise.
While not all of these cases are linked to the public sector, anyone working in homelessness services knows that burnout and long term sick leave due to mental health issues has been increasing.
This situation is costing councils a significant amount of money, but more importantly, it’s affecting the quality of the services they can provide.
Here’s how hiring contractors can save your council money:
Reduced workload and stress
Overburdened employees often experience higher levels of stress, which can lead to burnout and increased sick leave. By bringing in contractors to share the workload, the overall stress on the team can be reduced. This can help prevent burnout and decrease the likelihood of staff taking sick leave due to stress related conditions.
Improved morale and retention:
Lower stress levels and a more manageable workload can lead to improved morale among permanent staff. When employees feel supported and less overwhelmed, they are more likely to remain healthy and engaged in their work. This can reduce turnover rates and the associated costs of recruiting and training new staff.
Short term cost vs. long term savings:
While contractors may have higher upfront costs, the long term savings are significant if their presence helps to reduce absenteeism, maintain consistent service delivery, and prevent costly disruptions due to understaffing.
Enhanced service delivery:
With contractors helping to balance the workload, the quality and timeliness of service delivery will improve. This can lead to better outcomes for the clients being served, which can reduce the overall demand for services. For example, more effective and timely interventions in homelessness services could decrease the long term need for emergency accommodations, thereby reducing overall costs.
Balanced workload distribution:
Contractors can be brought in to handle specific tasks or cases, allowing permanent staff to focus on areas where they are most effective. This can lead to a more strategic allocation of resources and potentially more efficient use of staff time, further reducing the likelihood of burnout and absenteeism.
Naturally, these are preventive measures that need to be addressed before the situation gets out of hand.
If you’re interested in discussing contract recruitment for either yourself or your team, please get in touch: richard.bucklow@oysterpartnership.com