Psychological absenteeism is on the rise
According to figures from the Trimbos Institute, the number of Dutch people with a mental illness is rising. In 2009 this was still 17% of Dutch people between the ages of 18 and 64, and in 2022 this number had risen to 26%. A substantial increase.
There are several reasons for this rise. The world is changing: societal norms are shifting and work is becoming less physically demanding due to technology, but is actually becoming more mentally demanding. At the same time, there is also more recognition and openness around mental illness.
It is important for employers to be aware of these changes because they also permeate the workplace. Increased mental pressure causes performance to deteriorate, resulting in rising absenteeism and increased inflow into long-term arrangements.
Three insights that will make you stronger as an employer
With the right insight, you as an employer can do more than you think.
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Absenteeism due to mental illness continues to rise
The number of workers who call in sick because of psychological complaints has been steadily increasing for years. In 2024, 8.2% of employed people cited mental health symptoms as the reason for their most recent sick call compared to 6.7% in 2022.
Psychological complaints now rank second among causes of absenteeism. These complaints cause even more absenteeism than physical complaints such as back pain (3.8%). The trend is clear: where absenteeism was once mostly physical, it is now increasingly mental.
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Psychological absenteeism lasts much longer
The impact of psychological complaints at work is visible not only in the frequency of absenteeism, but especially in its duration. Whereas a bout of the flu means an average of three days of absence from work, absenteeism due to psychological complaints lasts an average of 63 days.
And often it doesn't stop there. In long-term absenteeism - 42 weeks to 2 years - in 40% of cases a psychological complaint is the cause. Since 2017, psychological complaints have been the leading cause of long-term absence.
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Work is often the cause - and thus the key
Psychological absenteeism is (partly) work-related in 75% of cases, high work pressure is often cited as a cause of absenteeism. In comparison, 57% of back complaints are due to work and on average only 22% of all absenteeism complaints can be traced to work.
Precisely because work is often the cause, as an employer you also have influence. So you can make a difference with the right approach, at the right time.
What can you do?
Whether your organization is struggling with high absenteeism, notices signs of stress among employees, or just wants to take preventive action: Schouten Zekerheid will help you further. We offer support at every stage:
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Getting a handle on current absenteeism
Do you have employees currently out of work with mental health issues? Our service De Verzuimconsultant helps to take back control. Think sparring with a permanent consultant, Incompany training for managers, support with the absence protocol or secondment.
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Support before failure
Do you notice that employees have complaints but have not yet dropped out? Then taking action on time is crucial. Waiting for regular mental health help can take months, while you need to do something now.
Schouten Zekerheid has a broad network and can put you in touch with all kinds of providers who can support your employees within company care. In addition, we advise on financing options through the employee's health insurance (think of additional coverage) or through the absenteeism or income insurer, who may be willing to help pay if the intervention can prevent or shorten a benefit payment.
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Preventive policies with insight and strategy
Is there no absenteeism problem (yet), but you want to start preventive work? Then this is the time to gain insights and make a good plan. Our Sustainable Employability consultant guides this process from A to Z: from the design and implementation of the study to the interpretation of the results and advising on appropriate follow-up steps.
For larger employers, we also offer unique insight into absenteeism with our HR risk analysis. Here we thoroughly analyze absence data using our self-developed data tool. This tool uncovers connections and reveals where bottlenecks are located.
Mental health is not a given. But as an employer, you can help make the difference between failure and employability. The numbers don't lie, but fortunately much is possible.
A healthy organization starts with healthy employees.
Join our free online knowledge session where our specialists will tell you how group health insurance can prevent absenteeism problems.
Find out how group health insurance strengthens your organization! Read on and schedule a no-obligation consultation.
Femke Baeten
Manager Collective Health Insurance
