Absence Rates In September And October Hit Record Highs Due To Increased Mental And Physical Strain
Surge in Employee Sick Days Highlights Autumnal Strain
Employee absenteeism due to illness reached a notable peak in September and October, marking the highest figures recorded since at least 2020. In September, 14.13 percent of employees stayed home from work due to sickness, a number that climbed to 16.4 percent in October, according to recent data. While such increases are traditionally observed at the transition into autumn due to the circulation of respiratory viruses like colds, COVID-19, and flu, the current trend appears to be amplified.
“Extra mental and physical strain”
Kristel Minten, a well-being expert at Acerta, explained factors contributing to this rise. “This year, the wave of respiratory illnesses seems to have started earlier and spread more widely,” Minten stated. “Additionally, the restart after the summer holidays is a busy period for many. Work rhythms are re-established, expectations are often high, and this can lead to extra mental and physical strain. This combination makes people more susceptible to illness.”
Despite the increased frequency of reported sick days, the total number of hours lost to illness in September and October was lower than in the same period of 2023 and 2024. This suggests that the absences were generally shorter in duration.
Key Absence Data for Early Autumn:
- September: 14.13% of employees reported sick.
- October: 16.4% of employees reported sick.
- These figures represent the highest recorded since at least 2020.
- Absences were shorter in duration compared to previous years, despite higher frequency.
Analysis of the first ten months of the year indicates a slight increase in the number of employees reporting short-term sickness (42.7 percent) compared to the previous year. However, this did not result in an overall increase in total sick hours. Larger enterprises are experiencing higher rates of sickness absence, and the social profit sector is identified as having the most employees absent due to illness.
Understanding and addressing employee well-being is crucial for sustaining productivity and ensuring a healthy workforce, especially as seasonal health challenges intersect with the demands of the modern workplace. Public health initiatives and employer-led wellness programs play a vital role in mitigating the impact of these trends.