OTTAWA – New data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat reveals intriguing trends regarding sick leave among federal public servants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the findings indicate a significant decrease in sick days taken during the most intense phases of the pandemic, particularly in 2020-21 when most office employees were working entirely remotely.
During the 2020-21 period, public servants averaged only 5.9 sick days. This figure represents a stark contrast to pre-pandemic years, where averages were notably higher: 9.6 days in 2019-20, 9.8 days in 2018-19, and 10.4 days in 2017-18. As the pandemic evolved and some federal employees resumed in-person work in 2022 and 2023, the average number of sick days began to rise again. By 2021-22, the average rose to 8.1 days, hitting 8.8 days in 2022-23, and reaching 9.2 days in 2023-24.
Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, a family physician and board director of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, points to reduced exposure to illness as a primary reason for the dip in sick days during the pandemic. With many employees working from home, the potential for close interactions and the spread of germs was significantly diminished. Dr. Abdulla also notes that employees might have been able to work from home even when feeling unwell, which could have contributed to the lower sick day statistics, albeit with potentially reduced productivity.
With a gradual return to in-office work for public servants in 2023, there are concerns that sick days may increase again. Dr. Abdulla anticipates that sick leave usage could surpass pre-pandemic levels due to several factors, including delayed healthcare access, increased exposure to illnesses, mental health issues, and the financial strain that many are currently facing.
The Treasury Board clarifies that the average sick day usage accounts for both employees who did not take any sick leave and those who utilized banked sick leave prior to accessing long-term disability benefits. Furthermore, departments such as the Canada Border Services Agency and Correctional Service Canada have consistently recorded high levels of sick leave usage between 2017-18 and 2023-24.
A recent survey of federal public servants found that employees in these departments also reported lower levels of job satisfaction, indicating a potential correlation between workplace morale and absenteeism. According to the Government of Canada, full-time employees typically accrue sick leave at a rate of just over nine hours each month, which can be accessed when they are unable to perform their duties due to illness or injury, provided they have the necessary sick leave credits.
Catherine Connelly, a professor and business research chair in the department of human resources and management at McMaster University, elaborates on the impact of remote work on sickness rates. She suggests that the lack of commuting and close contact with colleagues may have resulted in fewer illnesses among remote workers. Connelly also notes that the flexibility of working from home might allow employees to work through milder ailments without taking a formal sick day. This arrangement permits them to rest more easily and potentially avoid further sickness that would necessitate time off.
In summary, the data reflects a compelling shift in sick day usage among federal public servants during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increasing necessity for in-office work and the challenges posed by a post-pandemic environment, ongoing trends in absenteeism will be closely observed as they continue to evolve.
