Public sector sickness absence cost the Isle of Man Government an estimated £15.65 million in 2025/26, according to figures released in a written Tynwald answer.
The data, provided by Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford, shows costs have increased over the past three years, from £13.4m in 2023/24 and £15.3m in 2024/25, even though the number of working days lost has not risen year on year.
Working days lost fell to 97,168 in 2025/26, down from 102,613 the previous year. Average days lost per full‑time equivalent also dropped from 13.1 to 12.2, indicating what the Minister described as “an improvement in overall absence levels”.
The rise in cost, he said, reflects higher pay, changes in workforce size, and the profile of absences, rather than worsening attendance.
The figures exclude Members of Tynwald, Crown appointments, board and committee members, Manx Utilities, Manx National Heritage, Coroners, the Post Office, and any contractors or agency staff not paid through the Government payroll system.
How The Island Compares
Benchmarking shows the Isle of Man sits at the upper end of public‑sector absence levels but remains within expected ranges for a workforce with a high proportion of frontline roles:
- UK Civil Service — 8.2 days per employee
- UK workforce overall — 4.4 days
- Jersey — 9.7 days
- Guernsey — 11.4 days
The island’s mix of health, care and operational services is a key factor in its higher figures.
Government response
The Cabinet Office says it is taking a “proactive and targeted” approach to managing absence, including:
- Reviewing Occupational Health to improve access and case management
- Earlier intervention to prevent short‑term issues becoming long‑term
- Targeted action on long‑term absence
- Better data and oversight across departments
- Wellbeing support focused on mental health and musculoskeletal issues
- Manager training to ensure consistent attendance management
The Minister said the overall picture suggests the public service is “broadly aligned with comparable jurisdictions” but that absence levels still require active management.
