We have every sympathy with people who genuinely cannot work because of long-term or short-term illness.

But it seems strange that sickness levels at Oxford City Council are so out of step with other local authorities and with most businesses.

City council staff have been in a chronic state of health for some years, and the situation is getting worse.

Latest figures show that, on average, sick leave has shot up to a staggering 11 working days for every employee.

It is clearly a state of affairs that cannot be allowed to continue.

Over the years, the council has tried various measures to try to tackle the problem, but nothing appears to have worked.

Present sickness levels mean that it is impossible for the council to carry out some of its public tasks.

We have already seen leisure activities being curtailed as a result of staff shortages.

And with the council now on a massive economy drive, to make savings of £5.2m to balance its books, the outlook for some of the services it should be providing looks grim.

It is no good blaming doctors for handing out sick notes like confetti.

Nor can workers claim that council work is unduly stressful or underpaid.

We suspect that many workers in the private sector would happily swap their job for one behind a council desk.

The council needs to identity the reasons for the rampant sickness within its ranks and establish whether there is a pattern.

Are the working conditions of staff to blame? Or is the root of the problem with management?

A check with other councils might reveal why they fare better.

Whatever they do, those in charge need to act fast before our council becomes a lame duck.