The Cabinet Office has issued a resource pack to help public sector organisations improve staff attendance at work. The pack, developed in consultation with trade unions, sets out best practice techniques to 'maximise' attendance. The government aims to reduce sickness in the civil service by 20 per cent by 2001 and 30 per cent by 2003. Cabinet Officer minister Dr Jack Cunningham said he expected other public sector organisations, including the NHS, to match these targets.

Managing Attendance in the Public Sector: putting best practice to work. www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/eeg/index.htm