More employees report sick, this week TNO research showed. A growing cause of sickness absence are psychological complaints or a burnout. Is this preventing by staying at home if you need it? And how do you arrange that?
Working while you feel down, have a lot of (work) stress or heartbreak: that can be tough. According to the figures, mental stress mainly leads to long -term absence, often even more than six weeks.
“Even when stress comes from private situations, such as divorce, mourning or informal care, employers can offer support,” says Redmer van Wijngaarden, company doctor and director of medical matters at ArboNed. When you consider that almost a quarter of the absence was caused by stress -related complaints in 2024, help from the employer in these types of complaints does not seem like a superfluous luxury.
In some countries, absenteeism is taken care of in the event of psychological complaints by means of Mental Health Days . In Australia, it has now been determined per law that all full -time and part -time employees can take Personal Leave.
An employee can use that leave for reasons that have to do with mental health, such as therapy sessions. Also in Canada and Japan it is possible to take stress leave, without the fear of losing your job.
‘Can lead to less absenteeism’
At most Dutch companies it is not common to get free to work on your mental health. Because there is nothing about it in the law and nothing is included in most Dutch collective agreements, it is up to the employer himself to admit that or not, a spokesperson for the UWV explains.
That can be a good move. For employees, for example, it can lead to higher job satisfaction and better performance, notes owner Imke van Kampen from the Fem HR consultancy.
It can also turn out positively for the employer: there is a chance that this type of leave will lead to less absenteeism. “And preventive measures are cheaper than long -term absenteeism,” says Van Kampen.
‘More policy is not the solution’
Yet a Mental Health Day of Stress leave is not necessarily the solution for increasing stress deficiency, thinks Marijke Henst, director of customer and development at the occupational health and safety service. “That is a structure solution for a problem in the work culture.”
That is why, according to Henst, policy should not be looked at, but at the individual. “It is usually tailor -made. If we recognize the signals and start a conversation, we do not have to end up in default. Then policy is not necessary.”
Henst gives an example: “If you are a single parent and you work until 6 p.m. and at 6.15 p.m. childcare will close, that can cause stress. As an employee and employer you can easily solve that together. But you have to talk to that.”
“As an employer, you have to pay attention: are there signals that someone is experiencing stress or is not comfortable in his or her skin? And as an employee it is important that you feel the safety to discuss what is going on,” says Henst.
More Employees Are Calling in Sick, Accordance to TNO Research This Week. A Growing Cause of this Absenteeism is Mental Health Problems or Burnout. Can this be prevented by staying home when you need to? And how do you arrange that?
Working while you feel down, have a lot of (work) stress or heartbreak: that can be difficult. Accordance to the figures, mental stress mainly leads to long-term absence, or just like than six weeks.
“Even when stress comes from private situations, Such as divorce, Bereavement or Informal Care, Employers CAN Support,” Says Redmer van Wijngaarden, Company Doctor and Director of Medical Affairs at ArboNed. Considing That Almost a Quarter of Absentee In 2024, CaaSed by Stress-Related Complaints, Employer Assistance With This Type of Complaint Seems Like No Unnecessary Luxury.
In Some Countries, Absenteeism Due to Mental Health Problems is Absorbed Through Mental Health Days . In Australia, it has now leg determined by law that all all full-time and part-time employees can take paid personal leave.
An employee can use that leave for reasons relationship to mental health, such as therapy sessions. It is also Possible to Take Stress Leave in Canada and Japan, Without The Fear of Losing Your Job.
‘Can lead to less absenteeism’
In most Dutch companies, it is not customary to get time off to work on your mental health. Because there is Nothing about it in the law and nothing is included in Most Dutch Collective Labor Agreements, it is up to the employer to allow this or not, explains a spokesperson for the UWV.
That can be a good move. It can lead to higher job satisfaction and better performance among employees, notes owner imke van kampen of consultancy frem hr.
It can also be positive for the employer: there is a chance that this type of leave will lead to less absenteeism. “And Preventive Measures Are Cheaper Than Long-Term Sick Leave,” Says van Kampen.
‘More Policy is not the solution’
However, A Mental Health Day or Stress Leave is not Necessarily the Solution to the Increasing Stress-Related Absenteeism, Thinks Marijke Henst, Director of Client and Development at the Occupational Health Service. “That is a structural solution to a problem in the work culture.”
Therefore, accordance to Henst, the focus should not be on policy, but on the individual. “IT is usually customized. If we recognize the signals and start a conversation, we don’t have to end with absenteeism. Then policy is not necessary.”
Henst Gives an Example: “If you are a single parent and you work until 6:00 pm and Childcare Closes at 6:15 pm, that can cause stress. You can Easily solve that together as an employee and employer. But you have to talk about it.”
“As an employer, you have to pay close attention: are there signals that someone is experience stress or not feeling well? And as an employee, it is important that you feel safe to discuss what is going on,” Says Henst.