When the collective of citizens elected in 2020 took the keys to the town hall of Saint-Loubes, near Bordeaux (Gironde), the observation became clear. “Among the agents working in the municipality, more than 20% were absent, which was a lot,” recalls Emmanuel Favre, the mayor. The average is about 10% in communities and 5% in the private sector, we have room for improvement! »
This is the absenteeism bonus that created a stir when it was launched in 2022. To receive the maximum bonus of €750, the agent must be away for less than 6 days per year and have a good record of performance in annual service. During the period from 7 to 10 days of absence, he receives 70% of the amount. In 2023, 157 agents received the bonus, receiving an average of 500 euros (66 received the maximum bonus). “This is not to stigmatize those who were absent, but to applaud the motivation of those who were present or even those who had to take on extra work,” the mayor insists.
“We have reorganized the work”
“This bonus was just one of the levers that made it possible to change the situation,” recalls Emmanuel Favre. “Instead of hiring people who weren’t necessarily competent to fill gaps in schedules, we reorganized the work, found solutions to small and large day-to-day problems, and reduced absenteeism,” says the adviser, who began by meeting with all the agents in long-term vacation.
Such was the case for Karin, who was absent for two and a half years after being deemed unfit to perform hosting duties. “I was told to apply for an accountant position, for which I had no experience. After a year and a half of taking antidepressants, the doors closed,” she says. She was retrained within the company into the communications department. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime,” she explains. I must have been gone one day in three years! »
It must be said that replacing agents required certain costs for this municipality with a population of 10,000 inhabitants: 615,000 euros in 2019, 590,000 euros in 2020. “The costs that many municipalities face due to the aging of our agents,” emphasizes Muriel Fabre, director general and secretary of the Association of Mayors of France.
11% less absenteeism between 2022 and 2023.
After twenty years in animation, another agent from Saint-Loubes has become an ASVP and is preparing to become a municipal police officer. For the rest, who were often arrested for health reasons, “for hand sharpening pencils in kindergarten, closing shutters for children to sleep in, or doing housework,” the mayor’s office provided electric pencil sharpeners, put an end to swinging shutters, and bought ergonomic brooms.
“In the past, a food service agent was jailed for five years due to worn out knuckles from opening cans by hand, even though it only required the best equipment,” says the mayor. With absenteeism falling by 11% between 2022 and 2023 and work-related accidents falling by 17%, the efforts are starting to pay off, literally and figuratively: the “presenteeism” bonus was worth €70,000 in 2021, €82,000. euro in 2022. But the cost of replacing agents – €362,000 in 2023 – has almost halved in two years.
Source: Le Parisien
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