Stable working conditions with decline in work disability
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Impact of work-related health on absenteeism
For the past few years the health of the average Dutch employee has been quite good. Around 90% of employees state that their health is good or even excellent. However, small changes appear to have taken place for other health outcomes. The percentage of employees with burnout symptoms slowly increased from 11.3% to 13.1% in the 2007–2010 period. Work absenteeism declined, from 4.5% in 2006 to 4.0% in 2009, although this decline was caused by a shorter average duration of absences. Absenteeism then rose again in 2010 to 4.2%.
The most common reason for work absenteeism remains cold or flu, followed by musculoskeletal problems and psychosocial problems. However, musculoskeletal problems are becoming less important. Absenteeism due to cardiovascular problems, on the other hand, is uncommon but – due to an ageing workforce – is increasing (Figure 1). Employees report that about one in five cases of work absenteeism are work related; however, since work-related absenteeism is, on average, of longer duration, 43% of all absenteeism days were (at least partly) work related in 2010. In 2006 this was 48%. Work pressure or work-related stress is the most common reason for work-related absenteeism. However, the percentage of days off caused by work-related stress or work pressure declined from 18% in 2006 to 13% in 2010. In a recent information update, this issue is extensively discussed (NL1107029I).
Figure 1: Reasons for work absenteeism
Source: NWCS 2010
Due to a change in work disability legislation at the end of 2005 which aimed to stimulate the participation of sick and absent workers in the labour market, it became much more difficult for employees on long term sickness absence to obtain a disability benefit. (OECD, 2008; 2010). This resulted in a quite drastic drop in the work disability rates in the 2006–2010 period from almost 700,000 people in 2006 to fewer than 600,000 in 2010 (Figure 2). The main reasons for work disability remain psychological complaints (37%), musculoskeletal complaints (26%) and cardiovascular complaints (6%). Together these three categories account for two-thirds of all work disability.
Figure 2: Work disability in the Netherlands
Source: UWV, 2006-2010
The ageing workforce has sparked a wide-ranging debate in the Netherlands about how to keep employees at work for longer. The percentage of workers who state that they are willing or able to work until the age of 65 is steadily increasing. Reducing exposure to unfavourable working conditions may be important to help achieve this. About four out of 10 workers state that less demanding work would contribute to a longer working life, and this figure appears to be rising slightly.
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willing to work until 65 | 34.0% | 36.3% | 42.5% | 44.0% |
| Able to work until 65 | 41.4% | 44.4% | 44.8% | 45.3% |
| Less demanding work (physical or mental) would contribute to working longer | 39.5% | 40.2% | 41.1% | 40.2% |
Source: NWCS 2007–2010
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