REGARDING your article about absenteeism among Blackburn with Darwen Council employees (LET, February 14), of particular interest was the fact that the authority has set aside some £70,000 in next year's budget to look at the level of sickness.

It appears we are turning the clock back. A review of sickness procedures was actually conducted some five or six years ago. The outcome was the introduction of a formal 'Sickness Policy.'

This was introduced to all staff with a great 'fanfare' -- the policy states quite clearly that all sickness will be monitored by management -- and that after eight 'odd' days of sickness the staff member will be expected to provide a doctor's certificate. It also states that managers have to conduct 'back to work' interviews after every period of sickness.

All managers had training sessions in the new procedures -- part of which was to make it very clear that while they were there to help and support staff, they had to look at 'underlying trends' try to see if there were specific problems that perhaps needed referring to the Occupational Health unit for help or advice, but, to be aware that in some circumstances they would need to get rid of staff who were perhaps for whatever reason incapable of doing their jobs.

The Authority, of course, has a Capability and Disciplinary Policy!

Now, surely, if sickness is still out of control, rather than spending a vast amount of money on reviewing this, perhaps the actual calibre of the managers should be looked at.

After all, if they are being paid to do a job which they clearly are not (and it has to be said that some of the managers have their fair share of sickness themselves).

Rather than threatening staff with dismissal, the managers should be weeded out -- this would perhaps actually save some money -- and be replaced by people who would be responsible and committed enough to work within the framework that already exists.

If some managers are not working to the current policy, what guarantee do any of our taxpayers have that they will work towards the next -- however much money is spent on a review?

Council employee (name and address received).