COUNCIL workers in Scotland took an average of 12 days' sick leave each last year and some have been taking almost a month off, according to a report into the performance of local authorities.
Absenteeism is running at more than double that of the private sector and has led to assurances that the problem is now being treated as a major problem in some areas.
Blue-collar staff in Fife had the highest absence rates in the country's 32 local authorities - 18 days a year, the equivalent of three-and-a-half working weeks.
The council yesterday conceded there was a ''sickie'' culture among some staff but promised managers were stamping it out.
The figures were published in the annual performance indicators on council corporate management.
They contrasted sharply with the Confederation of British Industry's most recent absenteeism figures, which found Scottish private-sector workers were sick only 5.7 days a year. Last year, the Scottish Executive's staff each took an average of 6.5 days' sick leave.
Brian Monteith, the Tory local government spokesman, said: ''These figures show why the private sector is more productive than the public sector and (are) strong arguments against the ever-increasing size of the public sector in Scotland at the expense of a more efficient alternative.''
Audit Scotland, the national spending watchdog, found that across all groups of council workers, 5.4% of work time was lost due to sickness in 2002-03. This was equal to 12 working days per employee, the same level as the previous year.
However, there was wide variation across councils, ranging from 3.9% (eight days) in Moray and 6.8% (12 days) in Fife. There were also differences between types of workers, with white-collar staff taking an average of 5.3% (11 days) sick, compared with 6.4% (14 days) for manual workers.
Moray had the lowest levels of white-collar absence (3.2% or seven days), while Argyll & Bute had the lowest manual sickness absenteeism (4.9% or 10 days).
Fife had the highest levels for both blue and white-collar staff - 6.7% (15 days) and 8% (18 days).
Absenteeism among teachers averaged 3.9% (seven days) across Scotland, and was lowest in Edinburgh (2.6% or five days) and highest in Clackmannanshire (7% or 14 days).
Nine councils had their worst sickness levels for manual staff since national recording began in 1999: Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Fife, Orkney, Borders and Shetland.
The absences included ''self-certified'' leave as well as days off supported by a doctor's certificate, long-term sickness absence and industrial injury.
Western Isles and Highland councils were excluded from the round-up because they reported ''unreliable data''.
Anne McGovern, leader of Fife Council, insisted clamping down on absenteeism now was a priority. She said: ''The culture in some parts of the organisation of taking a day off sick without genuine reason will continue to be challenged.''
Among the steps being taken are improved advice to managers, a link-up with the local NHS trust to help sick staff and a new physiotherapy service.
The performance indicators also revealed a persistent gender gap in council workforces.
Women made up only 17% of the 913 chief officials and 27% of the 2400 senior managers, slightly up on the previous year.
l Andy Kerr, the finance minister, yesterday angered MSPs by telling them he was unable to make a long-awaited statement on council tax and second homes.
Rural councils have argued the 50% discount on holiday homes should be scrapped.
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