BOLTON Council employees working for the housing direct labour organisation repairing council houses are to have a cash incentive to keep fit and healthy.

If they go through the entire year without having a day off because of illness, they will be paid an extra £175. Those who are tempted, on dark and wet mornings, to call in 'sick' might think again when the scheme is introduced.

Workers who are genuinely ill could feel somewhat miffed that they will miss out on the bonus. But there will be a sliding scale of payments for people who take fewer than five days a year sick.

The scheme, common in the private sector, is an excellent one. Although Cllr Peter Johnston has denied it was the council's appalling sickness record which has prompted the payments, the new bonus payments will surely help to reduce absenteeism.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.