SIR -- Your report on Oxford City Council sickness rates (Oxford Mail, August 5) refers to the new sickness absence policy, which came into effect last year.

Anne-Marie Scott, head of human resources, continues to support this policy, despite its obvious failure.

Sick rates have increased from 11 to 12 days since its introduction.

Draconian measures, intended to frighten staff out of taking time off sick, are clearly not working.

Unison suggests, as we did when the new policy was pushed through against our advice, that the most effective way to reduce sickness is to ensure 'back to work' interviews are properly conducted.

Every line manager should interview staff when they return from sickness.

These interviews counter absence on two fronts -- they act as a deterrent to the small minority of malingerers because they have to explain their absence, and more importantly, they identify causes of genuine sickness, such as work-related stress, allowing these to be addressed.

These interviews are not happening, even in the department that should be setting the example, human resources.

Until we are satisfied that staff will receive a proper 'back to work' interview, Unison will oppose more rigorous measures.

These can only contribute to increased stress and a further lowering of morale which, we believe, are the underlying causes of our poor sickness record.

EMMA GOODALL

Branch Secretary

Oxford City Unison