More than 25,500 working days — the equivalent of 67 years — were lost due to sickness absence across Angus Council in just six months.
A new report, covering the last two quarters of 2017/2018, concluded that stress was behind up to 32% of the absences.
Angus Council leader David Fairweather has blamed cuts from the Scottish Government, saying they had meant fewer staff were being burdened with more responsibilities.
The figures rose from a low of 9,479 days in the second quarter of 2017/2018, to 11,664.5 in the third and 12,934.5 in the fourth — an increase of more than 2% compared to the same period last year.
Other reasons for the sickness absences included stomach issues (8%), respiratory/heart complaints (9%) and colds and flu (11%).
Arbroath West and Letham Independent councillor Mr Fairweather said: “I am deeply concerned about this, but in many ways I am unsurprised.
“Councils right across Scotland are struggling not only with significant cuts, but also the increasing demands of the Scottish Government to deliver services without appropriate levels of funding.
“Around 80% of the council’s work is dictated by central government, leaving us with very little room for manoeuvre.
“We are in the appalling situation where fewer staff are having to assume more responsibilities, often without increased remuneration, and of course that must contribute to the levels of stress people feel.”
He pledged to raise the issue with senior council staff.
“The mantra of doing more with less comes at a cost, and we are seeing what that cost is in terms of people being unable to come to their work– the situation is unsustainable,” he added.
The local authority has reduced its workforce by more than 600 staff over the past six years.
Sharon Faulkner Head of HR, Digital Enablement and Business Support said stress related absences accounted for around a third of days lost across the council.
“Action is continuing to be taken to address this through raising awareness amongst employees and managers of mental health issues and how these can be identified and supported,” she added.
Responding to Mr Fairweather’s allegations, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local authorities as employers are responsible for managing their staff.
“Despite UK Government’s cuts to the Scottish Budget – totalling £2.6bn in real terms between 2010-11 and 2019-20 – we have continued to treat local government very fairly.
“In 2018-19, our £10.7 billion local government finance settlement will provide a real terms increase in both revenue and capital funding.
“While local authorities are responsible for setting their own budgets, the total funding they have available will increase by almost £342 million in 2018-19.
“Angus Council will receive £214.2 million in funding from the Scottish Government in 2018-19.
“Taken together with the decision to increase council tax by 3%, this will mean an extra £6.4 million to support services, 3.1% more than in 2017-18.”
