HC Deb 14 February 2002 vol 380 cc641-2W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in his Department on a job share contract; and what percentage of vacant positions was advertised on this basis in the last 12 months. [35365]

Dr. John Reid

33 staff are currently employed by the Northern Ireland office on a jobshare contract.

71 per cent. of vacant positions advertised in the last 12 months were open to job-sharing arrangements.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [35931]

Dr. John Reid

There have been a total of five confirmed work-related stress cases over the last three years; two cases in 1999, one case in 2000 and two cases in 2001. No compensation has been paid to employees in each of the last three years. On the five confirmed cases, the working days lost were 352 days in 1999, one year and 86 days in 2000, and one year and 126 days in 2001. Of the five confirmed cases, the costs were £35,212.84 in 1999, £48,611.32 in 2000, and £63,366.58 in 2001.

The procedures in place include the provision of the departmental welfare service; facilities such as phased return to work, the introduction of work-life balance policies; and early referral by personnel to the occupational health service. Costs are not recorded specifically against work-related stress.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the effect of the working time directive on his Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps he is taking to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement. [35891]

Dr. John Reid

The regulations are operated within the Department and it is only exceptional where business needs require staff to be invited to work in excess of the 48 hour limit.