How can you tackle sickness absence efficiently in your organisation?
You can avoid your employees being absent due to sickness by, first and foremost, creating a pleasant workplace, in which your staff stay healthy and motivated at work. A clear attendance policy, moreover, will make sure you are well prepared for dealing with long-term absences. We will be happy to help you get started.
What is sickness absence?
Sickness absence simply means being absent from work due to sickness. There are around 500,000 people on long-term sick leave in Belgium, which means they have been unfit for work for more than a year.
- Short sickness absence lasts only a few days. This type of absence includes those caused by flu, for example, and, primarily, has consequences at an organisational level.
- Long-term sickness absence or absenteeism refers to an absence lasting three months to one year or more. This jeopardises the continuity of work in the long term. Psychosocial problems and motor function issues are the two main causes of prolonged sickness absence.
Reintegration focuses on the possibilities, not the limitations
On 1 October 2022, the legislation governing the reintegration of employees on long-term sick leave changed. The new procedure provides for greater focus on the possibilities rather than on the limitations, and getting employees back to work faster and more efficiently – preferably in roles that are tailored to their capabilities. Reintegration requires a targeted approach. Therefore, it is a good idea to be aware of all the options in good time. This will mean you do not have to look everything up if an employee is off work for a long time.
If an employee is permanently unfit for work due to sickness or an accident, the employment contract may be terminated on the grounds of medical force majeure.
What are the consequences of sickness absence?
Sickness absence makes it harder to maintain continuity and productivity in your organisation.
The main consequences of sickness absence are:
- lower productivity and quality due to employees being off work
- increasing work pressure and potentially lower motivation among team members
- a less positive image as an employer
- additional costs to replace sick employees or temporary workers
- additional costs as a result of the guaranteed salary during sickness, insurance or pension contributions
Less sickness absence at work?
How you prevent sickness absence?
The best way to protect your employees from sickness absence is to create a pleasant workplace. A well-thought-out attendance policy helps you to ensure that everyone wishes to be, can be and can stay healthy, enthusiastic and motivated at work. In other words, you increase the sustainable employability of each and every employee.
The benefits of a preventive approach
- You care for your employees’ wellbeing.
- You retain valuable talent and crucial expertise.
- You become aware of signs of stress and burnout, and prevent worse situations.
- You avoid a loss of productivity and the associated costs.
- You reduce long-term absenteeism in your organisation.
Tackle sickness absence with an effective attendance policy
Preventing sickness absence starts with adopting a well-thought-out, preventive approach. This does not happen through individual interventions, but rather with a shared vision, clear agreements and tailored support. A strong attendance policy helps you to reduce long-term absences and makes ‘workable work’ possible for everyone within your organisation. This allows you to go from simply logging absences to strengthening attendance within your organisation actively.
Find out how an attendance policy can strengthen your organisation
Why choose IDEWE?
- Experienced experts – Our medical team of experienced occupational doctors and nurses, together with other IDEWE experts, provide the support that you need in all areas of wellbeing.
- Tailored services – We tailor our offer to your organisation’s needs.