More Covid-19 cases on the work floor
In March 2021, the absenteeism rate in the Netherlands increased to 4.4% (from 4.2% in January and 4.3% in February), according to figures of occupational health & safety services HumanCapitalCare and ArboNed, which are both part of the HumanTotalCare group. It is striking that the number of sick reports has increased and that more employees with Covid-19 have indicated that they have possibly been infected by a colleague on the work floor.
Number of sick reports increases again
The number of sick reports has increased substantially in all the industrial sectors in the past months. Although the figures are normalising, they are still lower than normal for this period of the year. In March, HumanCapitalCare and ArboNed—who jointly work for approximately 1 million employed persons—received approximately 80% of the expected sick reports (compared to 50% in February). The education sector has witnessed the highest increase in the frequency of calling in sick (88% of the expected number of sick reports in March compared to 31% in February). This increase has occurred simultaneous with the opening of schools and has equalled the frequency of calling in sick in the education sector to that in the healthcare sector.
Unusual increase
The general increase in sick reports in March is striking, because usually absenteeism decreases during this time of year. Jurriaan Pendes, director of medical issues at HumanCapitalCare: “This could be the result of the regular influenza wave failing to materialise in January and February . Usually, the influenza cases decrease in March, which creates a decrease in the absenteeism rate compared to the previous two months.”
More infections through contact at work
Penders: “In addition, the increase in the absenteeism rate appears to be linked to the fact that more employees have returned to the office. Figures of the RIVM show that the percentage of employees who follow the guideline of working completely from home if possible is decreasing from 73% in January to 68% earlier this month. ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare also see this trend among employees who report sick due to Covid-19. Out of these employees, 22% suspect they were infected at work; in comparison, this was only 15% in January.”
Stay alert and work from home, unless …
“It is very likely that the decision of employees to work at the office instead of at home leads to more direct contact and Covid-19 infections on the work floor,” Penders continues. “That is why it remains important to continue working from home as much as possible, if this is an option.” ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare call on employees to remain alert with regard to employees for whom working from home is a physical or mental burden. Make sure to create suitable solutions for this group and deploy help on time.”