Anyone who has watched a social worker in action or been to a housing office will know the pressure staff can come under in dealing with desperate people.

So it comes as no surprise to find that these two departments have had high absence rates through sickness at Brighton and Hove Council.

It's right that councillors and officials should want to reduce sickness, which costs the authority about £4 million a year.

There's no doubt that some employees are swinging the lead. There are always some in any organisation and they should be prised out.

But the much more prevalent root causes of stress and staff shortages also need investigating.

Unions, concerned at the council's action, should co-operate in suggesting measures to bring about improvements.