How can you prevent long-term sick leave?

Long-term sick leave comes at a cost to both the employee and the company. This is true regardless of whether the sick leave is due to stress, physical pain, or other factors. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the key costs associated with long-term sick leave, as well as how these can be prevented.

Economics and Statistics

A study by the Danish Employers' Association shows that sick leave costs Danish society 46 billion kroner each year. Every day, approximately 4 out of every 10 Danish employees are sick, and according to the Danish Working Environment Authority, more than 30 percent are absent for more than 30 days.

25 percent of all sick leave is due to physical pain. Long-term sick leave lasting more than 8 weeks is often caused by injuries and illnesses related to muscles and joints. The Danish Health Authority therefore recommends that companies take steps to prevent pain and illness among their employees, thereby ensuring a healthy work environment.

In 2012, the economic costs of long-term sick leave due to physical pain resulted in a loss of output of 6.9 billion Danish kroner for lower back and neck pain.

Prevention of long-term sick leave

To reduce absenteeism due to illness, companies must therefore be mindful of work practices and structures that can help them identify employees’ physical and mental health challenges, which over time may lead to long-term sick leave.

“The Danish Council for Prevention has pointed out that workplace-based training programs are highly effective, which is why we believe this is one of the approaches workplaces should continue to pursue. Individuals can certainly do their part, but it is important to note that workplace leaders have a major role to play in ensuring that initiatives are put in place that employees can take advantage of,” says Søren Brostrøm.

Up to 10 percent of long-term sick leave can be prevented by focusing on the psychological work environment.

Examples of preventive measures:

• Preventive training (preferably during working hours or immediately after work) tailored to the physical demands each employee faces in the course of their work.
• Access to tools that help prevent problems and stress—both physical and mental.

At Acture, we have been working on workplace health and well-being since 2002, and we are experts in the initiatives mentioned above. Would you like us to help your company and your employees?

Our core competencies include the preparation of:

• Workplace Assessments
• Well-being and Health Surveys
• Health profiles and health checkups
• Corporate Fitness and Online Training
• Proactive treatment plans
• Ergonomics
• Consulting
• Crisis Management
• Mental health
• Massage Program

In addition, the Ministry of Employment recommends on its website, sygefravaer.dk, an action plan featuring nine effective tools for preventing work-related absenteeism due to illness.

The tools are as follows:

• The Well-Being Ladder
• Prevent further sick leave
• Identify and prioritize the tough tasks
• Social capital
• The Moving Flower
• Prioritize the core task
• Prevent and manage pain
• Prevent Bullying
• Have a chat – break the habits

Sources:

• https://www.da.dk/politik-og-analyser/arbejdsmiljoe-og-sundhed/2019/sygefravaer-koster-samfundet-og-virksomhederne-dyrt/
• https://sygefravaer.dk/forebyg_sygefravaer/

• https://www.sst.dk/da/nyheder/2017/smerter-i-kroppen-staar-bag-hver-fjerde-langtidssygemelding
• https://healthgroup.dk/om-healthgrou