A total of 1,545 days have been lost in West Dunbartonshire Council’s corporate services section in just three months.

The absences, recorded between July and September this year, have cost the skint council £167,000.

Alarmed council chiefs say the figures give “cause for concern” and insist “immediate intervention” is required.

The department’s boss Angela Wilson produced a report for last week’s corporate services committee, which reads: “In quarter two, corporate services lost a total of 1,545 FTE (full time employment) working days of productivity to sickness absence which is an increase of 452 FTE days compared with last year.

“It is estimated that the cost of absence for quarter two was £166,860. This figure does not take into account the indirect costs of absence such as overtime, loss of productivity, reduced team performance.

“Compared with last years’ positive performance for quarter two, this year’s absence gives cause for concern. Immediate intervention will be required to ensure that the continued increase in absence does not continue.” This comes 18 months after the council launched its controversial ‘Working Well Together’ drive, aimed at lowering sickness absence rates and improving performance. The internal campaign was criticised by trade unions who were unhappy at some of the tactics used by the council.

Controversial banners and floor vinyls were put in place in council buildings, which detailed messages comparing a days sick leave as the equivalent to 50 meals on wheels.

Claims were made that some employees felt ‘bullied’ by the banners and unions launched a petition to have them removed immediately.

A policy was also introduced where council staff who missed work repeatedly through illness were to have their circumstances “reviewed” by bosses. Trade unions said they were not consulted about the campaign and, at the time, UNISON chief Tom Morrison said it was causing “some discomfort” among members.

A council spokesman confirmed that the staff absence campaign ended nine months ago — but said it would be making a comeback.

He added that the council “very disappointed” with the huge increase in staff sickness levels since then.

The spokesman said: “The council launched a pilot internal communications campaign in April 2013 to support the wider activity to reduce sickness absence. This campaign ended in February 2014. During that time sickness absence within corporate services fell by 15 per cent, and across the council by approximately six per cent, saving a total of £261,000.

“One of the most controversial elements of the campaign compared the cost of a sick day to the provision of other services such as two days of foster care. The month these banners were installed coincided with the lowest month of sickness absence within corporate services during 2013/14.

“The council is very disappointed with the absence figures for corporate services between July and September 2015. This contrasts with the positive progress made last year and the council will be responding immediately to step up its efforts to reduce the problem.