According to the IGSS, the number of people on sick leave increased by 6.6% last year compared to 2017. Expenses for the National Health Fund (CNS) increased by 12.6% over the course of last year to reach €696 million.
The IGSS press release revealed that interestingly, while employees were absent more frequently (an average of 2.69 times compared to 2.61 in 2017), they tended to be so for less time (7.97 days per episode on average against 8.10 in 2017).
The 2018 increase results both from an increase in long- and short-term rates (period between the 22nd and the last day of each absence, and then between the first and the 21st day of each absence respectively). In fact, short-term rates experienced a 8.4% rise (2.21% to 2.39%) during the uncharacteristically lengthy 2017/2018 flu epidemic.
For the first time since 2013, the long-term absenteeism rate has risen from 1.43% to 1.48% (+ 3.8%). This was due to an increase in the number of absences of more than three weeks, and not an increase in their average absence duration. It is worth noting that there exists a high level of sectoral variety, which can partly be explained by differences in working conditions and structures.
Numerous medical reasons have been noted to explain the level of absenteeism. Osteoarticular related diseases stand as the main perpetrator, causing 16.5% of absences, while mental and behavioural disorders are at the root of most long-term absences of 21+ days (16.4%). Infectious or parasitic diseases (influenza, gastroenteritis, sinusitis, ear infections, etc.) account for 14.0% of the sick days of resident employees and remain the main cause of short-term absences.
Finally, the direct cost of absenteeism – that is, paid sick leave combined with financial compensation paid by the CNS – between 2017 and 2018 rose from €618.7 million to €696.4 million (+ 12.6%).
In relation to the total compensation of employees in order to neutralise the growth in employment and wages, this cost rose from 2.41% to 2.56% (+ 6.2%).
