Average absenteeism in the Netherlands continues to decrease. Covid-19-related absenteeism increases.
Reintroduction of working from home as a standard to slow down infection through work.
In June 2021, the average absenteeism rate in the Netherlands continued to decrease to 4.2% (from 4.3% in May 2021), according to figures of occupational health & safety services HumanCapitalCare and ArboNed, which are both part of the HumanTotalCare group and jointly work for approximately 1 million employed persons. Accordingly with the increase in the number of Covid-19 infections in the Netherlands, as of 26 June, the occupational health & safety services have witnessed an increase in absenteeism as a result of Covid-19. The same applies to the number of infections transmitted by people outside the family, including colleagues. Reintroduction of working from home as a standard should slow down this increase.
Sick more often, but for shorter durations in June
A decrease in absenteeism is normal during this time of year. Nevertheless, the absenteeism rate has remained higher than usual for the same period prior to Covid-19 (3.7% in June 2019). In June, HumanCapitalCare and ArboNed received more sick reports than in the previous month, but also noticed that employees recovered faster. As a result, the absenteeism rate nevertheless decreased.
Absenteeism increases again as a result of Covid-19
In recent weeks, there has been an explosive increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Netherlands, especially among youngsters. As of the end of June, HumanCapitalCare and ArboNed also witnessed this in the absenteeism figures. "Since then, more employees have indicated that their absence is the result of Covid-19," says Jurriaan Penders, medical officer and director of medical issues at HumanCapitalCare. "Employees who report sick due to Covid-19 also tell us who could possibly have infected them. As of mid-June, we witnessed an increase in infections transmitted by people outside the family: colleagues, fellow students, friends and acquaintances. The number of infections by colleagues should decrease again with the reintroduction of working from home."
Use your holidays on time
As a result of the increase in Covid-19 cases, the changing travel guidelines create uncertainty among employees who are about to go on holiday. "We have noticed that several employees choose to continue working because they can’t go on holiday," Penders continues. “Postponing your holiday—or continuing to occupy yourself with work during the holiday—can negatively affect your health. Therefore, we advise employers to encourage their employees to use their holidays on time. Taking time off from work stimulates recovery and prevents employees from getting sick as a result of being at the end of their tether for too long.”