Absenteeism on the rise: Flu persistent, stress-related absenteeism remains a concern
Son, 22 March 2023 – In February, the average absenteeism rate in the Netherlands rose to 5.1% (compared with 4.9% in January 2023). This rise coincided with an increase in the number of reported absences. Flu continued to be one of the most important causes of absenteeism. This emerged from statistics from health and safety services ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare, both part of HumanTotalCare and serving around 1 million employees.
Flu persistent
The flu outbreak continued through February, with the health and safety services seeing this in the number of reported absences: there were 85 new reported absences per 1,000 employees. The figure in January was just 78. “This rise is normal during a flu outbreak,” according to Jurriaan Penders, company doctor and medical director at HumanCapitalCare. “This was readily noticeable on the shopfloor from the fact that more colleagues were off sick for a few days. However, the duration of this kind of brief absence was comparable with previous outbreaks of flu.”
Communicate on work and reporting sick
The cabinet recently decided that testing for the coronavirus was no longer necessary. All the recommendations relating to the coronavirus have expired. ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare nevertheless saw a small rise in absenteeism caused by the coronavirus. Now that testing is no longer mandatory, the expectation is that the coronavirus will be stated less frequently as the cause of absenteeism. Penders: “It continues to be important for employers and employees to remain in contact about when you are able to work and when you should report in sick. In cases of mild cold symptoms, you are probably able to work without difficulty, at home if possible. But, if you have a temperature, you should rather stay at home and adjust your working from home to how you are feeling. And in the event of doubt, discuss things with each other. You can often arrive at a suitable solution together more quickly.”
Stress-related absenteeism is a structural problem
Apart from short-term absenteeism, health and safety service providers are seeing a growing group of employees being absent as a result of stress. Long-term absenteeism from stress-related symptoms was 13% higher in 2022 than before the coronavirus pandemic in 2019. “There is a build-up in the nature and severity of these symptoms,” Penders explains. “It starts with tension symptoms, like worrying, listlessness and being tense. The longer you wait with tackling these symptoms, the worse they become and the longer before you recover. Employees showing tension symptoms are off work for an average 195 days. In the case of extreme tension, this rises to an average 228 days, and with burnout to as much as 288 days. So, it is important not to look the other way, but to give an indication and to bring it up for discussion – as employer, colleague or manager.” There was a slight decline in absenteeism resulting from stress-related symptoms during the coronavirus pandemic. With the increase setting in again, ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare are calling on employers and employees to work together to find a durable solution. This can be done in a culture of social safety, by recognising signals and by raising the issue at an early stage.