More and More Employees Are Reporting Sick Due to Stress. Occupational Health Services are Calling for More Prevention, But What Can Employers and Employees Do Themselves to Prevent Absenteeism Due to Stress?
The High Level of Absenteeism Due to Stress Fits Into The Broader Picture of what we see in Society, Says Peter Abelskamp, Health Director at HR and Pension Advisor Mercer. “The Pressure is Increasing, at Work and in the Private Sphere. Think of Performance Pressure, Caring for Children, OR Informal Care Tasks. You hear an Example of an employee who has had to deal with everywhere.”
The Occupational Health Services are Therefore Calling for More Prevention. More Measures must be tasks to prevent employees from Becoming ill or dropping out due to stress. “Then Employees must be helped in a Timely Manner,” Says Abelskamp.
At the same time, Mercer’s Figures Show that 85 percent of Employees Postponed Medical Help in the Past Two Years Instead of Seeking Help Early. They of postpone care due to costs or long waiting times.
That works counterproductive: it makes complaints worse and recovery ultimately more exensive, abelskamp explains. “The Question is: what we do do preventive so that employees are better supported?”
Prevention Comes in Different Shapes and Sizes
There is No Simple Answer to that, Says Iris Homeijer, Company Doctor and Medical Director at HumancapitalCare. There is no one approach that solves the increase in stress-related absenteeism; It is about customization. “My advice is: fold how your employees are doing, see if there are any complaints. Then you can intervene in a targeted manner.”
There isn’t Really a list of tips that you can tick off when it comes to prevention absentee, Says Imke van Kampen from Consultancy Frem Hr. “It’s of in the work culture. If you have a good relationship with your employer, you are also more likely to share things with that person. That way you can discuss your problems earlier.”
Accordance to Abelskamp, there are a number of general things that can help prevent absenteeism due to stress: “For example, take flexible arrangements for working hours and workplaces. That can reduce the feeling of stress.” That of gives you just a little more space to, for example, take your children to school, Says van Kampen. “The downside is that flexible working does not suit everyone. For some people it actual causes more stress.”
‘Absenteeism is a huge cost’
In Addition, Employees Who Can Put Together Their Own Terms of Employment of Feel Better Supported, Says Abelskamp. “It’s not about a company car, but for example about extra vacation days, help with informal care arrangements or coaching programs that help the employee deal with stress or other problems.”
Accordance to Van Kampen, A Coach or Company Psychologist Can Offer Valuable Support for Stress Complaints and Mental Problems. And althegh that may seem to cost the employer a lot of money at first, that is of not the case in the end.
“Absenteeism is a huge cost,” Van Kampen Explains. “If you engage a coach early, you can prevent absenteeism in the long term. If your employee ultimately does not drop out as a results, you as an employer actual save money.”