Absenteeism in the company reached all-time highs in 2022, with 44% of employees absent for at least one day, compared to 30% in 2019, according to a barometer published this Monday by Axa, which underlines that Covid is not the only culprit.
The insurer’s study, which is in its fourth edition, shows that the increase can be explained by a sharp increase in short-term stoppages that “may be potentially linked” to epidemic waves due in particular to the Omicron variant at the beginning of the year. . .
Psychological disorders, the leading cause of sick leave
But the insurer also observes “an upward trend” in absenteeism, in particular due to latent disorders, such as psychological disorders or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Psychological disorders thus become the leading cause of long-term sick leave for the second consecutive year (22.2%, +4 points compared to 2019), ahead of MSDs (21.2%).
The increase in absenteeism affected all age groups, but the youngest were affected the most, with the absenteeism rate rising by more than 50% among those under 30 between 2019 and 2022. For comparison, the increase was 34.3% among those aged 45-50
The most affected food businesses
On average, the absenteeism rate reached 4.5% throughout the year. This means that 4.5% of employees are absent on average in companies. This rate was 3.2% in 2019.
All sectors are affected, mainly food trade shows the highest rate (6.8% compared to 5% before Covid). They are followed by chemicals and pharmaceuticals with a rate of 5% (3.4% in 2019) and metallurgy and steel with 4.3% (2.9% in 2019).
Axa estimates the direct cost in 2022 (not counting the impacts on productivity, work disorganization, etc.) at 4.4% of the payroll (compared to 3.4% in 2019).
Large companies more concerned
Regarding absenteeism, large companies are the most affected. The rate reaches 5% on average in structures with more than 750 employees (3.6% in 2019) while in SMEs with less than 20 employees it is only 3.1% (2% in 2019).
Less flexible, small companies generally offer less favorable working conditions than large ones and are less responsive to the new wishes of employees since Covid, such as the use of teleworking.
Absenteeism is expected to remain at a high level in 2023
By 2023, the study foresees “a slight decrease” in absenteeism, but without returning to the situation prior to Covid, with indicators “at levels much higher than those of 2019”. The percentage of employees absent for at least one day between 35% and 42% stands out.
For Patrick Cohen, CEO of Axa France, “this detailed photograph is a warning sign.” To improve the situation, he suggests “increasing health controls”, “regulating teleworking to avoid a sedentary lifestyle or excessive connection” or even “training employees in mental health first aid”.
The barometer is based on the anonymous processing of the Nominative Social Declarations (DSN) of the Axa portfolio in 2022 for more than 3 million employees. The insurer reports an overrepresentation of executives (27% compared to 19% of the total population of employees in France) with an average age of 40.4 years and 84% of employees with permanent contracts.
Source: BFM TV
