SIR – Concerning the debate about Bradford Council’s increase in long-term absenteeism, I have an observation that I don’t think has yet been raised.
It is a statistical fact that people in their 50s and 60s are more likely to suffer from long-term illnesses or need operations than those in their 20s and 30s.
Since the abolition of the mandatory retirement age, employees are able to continue working longer than they did previously. Most probably, therefore, the age profile of the Council’s employees will have risen, particularly as there has also been a recruitment freeze leading to fewer younger employees.
Unless the Council is able to find ways of reducing the average age of its workforce, this high rate is unlikely to come down.
John Gavaghan, Bank Crest, Baildon
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