– Working to the extent of illness
Female employees at the University call in sick twice as often compared to male colleagues. Overtime and work pressure are the main reasons according to the Norwegian Civil Service Union (NTL).
Certified sick leave at UiO is twice as high for women compared to men. Leader of NTL Anita Solhaug has a clear explanation as to why: The majority of payroll officers and executive officers are women. – UiO is currently implementing a new system for wages and staff. This puts a lot of pressure on the payroll office. In addition, the Quality Reform has taken its toll on the executive officers. At the Faculty of Humanities (HF) they are nearly working themselves to death to keep up, Solhaug says, who confirms that this also applies to many executive officers outside HF.
– Working 24/7
– We are working full on. Around the clock! Heavy work load used to be limited to semester start, but now overtime seems to have become more of a general rule than an exception, a female employee at a HF department says. From 8 to 31 August, she worked 70 hours overtime. In addition, another person put in 35 hours on her behalf. She wishes to remain anonymous because she considers the issues to be personal. She supports Solhaug`s explanation as to why there is a majority of women on sick leave.
- Even if you are ill, it does not feel right to stay in since there are always matters that need immediate attention. Female employee at HF
– Even if you are ill, it does not feel right to stay in since there are always matters that need immediate attention. The worst thing is that there is no silver lining. It is hard to imagine that there will ever be less work load because the financials to relieve employees are not there, she says.
No Promise
– Administration was reinforced through the reorganisation of HF. The current Budget situation does not open for further reinforcements of staff, Sub-Dean Tor Egil Førland at HF says. He underlines that this year should not be considered standard due to the reorganisation. Solhaug does not think that reorganisation is a proper excuse for the work load employees have to put up with:
– Employers need to appreciate the fact that if resources are not coming in, they have to make do with the resources they already have, she says.
Workers under Pressure
Universitas reported of high sick leave 29 October last year. Despite reductions in sick leave since then, overtime and work pressure are still problematic for administrative staff members at UiO, particularly at HF. Responsible for University employees Elisabeth Halsen stated back then that the inclusive working life-agreement was to be adopted.
– Has this adoption been successful with executive officers and workers in Payroll?
– I cannot comment on the situation at HF because I am unaware of all the details. We have to be fully informed before we consider implementing possible measures. I know that the work pressure in the payroll office is for real. We have tried our best to make proper arrangements through good planning, but we cannot escape the fact that the period leading up to the implementation of the new system on 1 January 2006 will be very demanding, Halsen admits.
– Do you agree that the reason why women call in sick more often is because they have these jobs?
– I do not think a conclusion can be drawn that easily because the percentage corresponds to that of society, Halsen says.
