During a knowledge session organized by Schouten Zekerheid with VNO-NCW Regio Rotterdam on March 3, Souverein will demonstrate why no entrepreneur can afford to ignore this issue. "One in four days of absenteeism is now related to chronic work stress. That is a significant amount."
The urgency has increased significantly in recent years, partly due to structural staff shortages. Since the coronavirus pandemic, there have been more vacancies than available employees. VNO-NCW Regio Rotterdam has also noted that employers are increasingly struggling with the long-term employability of their staff. "Work is piling up, while attention to mental well-being is not growing proportionally. This is a major cause of the increase in stress complaints."
Lack of autonomy increases pressure
In addition to work pressure, a structural lack of autonomy plays a major role. National figures show that 41% of employees feel they have too little freedom to make decisions. "If you have no influence over what your day looks like, you cannot manage your own workload. In organizations with high work pressure, this acts like a pressure cooker."
Sectors where customer contact, administrative pressure, and understaffing converge are particularly under pressure. Within the VNO-NCW Rotterdam Region network, entrepreneurs are increasingly recognizing these signs. Souverein assisted a healthcare institution where absenteeism had risen to 20 percent. "That means one in five colleagues is absent, while the workload remains the same. This creates a vicious circle that organizations can hardly break on their own."
The financial impact is underestimated
According to Souverein, entrepreneurs systematically underestimate the costs of mental health-related absenteeism. "One day of absenteeism costs on average 2.5 times the wage bill. In the case of mental health issues, the process can easily take 270 to 290 calendar days."
The CBS calculated that psychosocial workload cost the Netherlands approximately €4.9 billion in 2023. This is also a topic that is high on the agenda at VNO-NCW Regio Rotterdam. "Many organizations think that it's not so bad as long as no one is absent for a long period of time. But that is precisely what makes this risk so insidious."
Prevention starts with genuine attention
There is no simple solution, but prevention is possible. According to Souverein, this starts with structural attention and a consistent cycle of discussions. "You need to know your employees in order to recognize the signs."
In addition, the causes are increasingly outside of work, such as informal care or financial worries. "Those who dismiss this entirely as a private matter will ultimately pay the highest price themselves. We also see this reflected in discussions with entrepreneurs within the VNO-NCW network."
Knowledge session for employers in the region
During the knowledge session on March 3, organized by Schouten Zekerheid collaboration with VNO-NCW Regio Rotterdam, employers will gain insight into the causes and phases of mental health-related absenteeism. In addition, practical tools will be shared to help recognize stress symptoms earlier and manage absenteeism more effectively.
"It's not about pointing fingers," Souverein concludes. "It's about getting a handle on a problem that will only get bigger otherwise."
Members of VNO-NCW Rotterdam region can register via: https://ap.lc/VVaNA
