Sickness absence, Q1 2012

Doctor-certified sickness absence decreased from 6.1 to 5.7 per cent - a fall of 7.3 per cent. Self-certified sickness absence had a small increase of 3.2 per cent, but rounding off gives the same level as last year; 1.2 per cent.

Sickness absence in the first quarter of 2011 was 8.7 per cent lower than in the first quarter of 2001, which was the first year of implementation of the agreement on an inclusive labour market.

Strongest decrease for men

Sickness absence for men decreased from 5.8 to 5.4 per cent. The absence for women decreased from 9.3 to 8.9 per cent; a fall of 6.9 and 4.3 per cent respectively.

Decrease in the construction industry

Amongst the major industries, the construction and accommodation and food service industries had the strongest decreases, of 11.8 and 9.9 per cent respectively.

Public administration and defence was the only industry with an increase in sickness absence, of 1.9 per cent. The level of sickness absence in this industry; 6.4 per cent, is still below the average for all industries of 6.9 per cent.

Strongest decrease in private sectors

Sickness absence dropped in all sectors. The private sector had the strongest decrease by 7.4 per cent. In local government, the absence fell by 2.6 per cent, while the absence in central government (including health enterprises) dropped by 1.2 per cent.

The sickness absence level in the 1st quarter of 2012 was lowest in the private sector with 6.3 per cent, while central and local government had an absence of 7 and 9 per cent respectively.

Decrease in all age groups

The doctor-certified absence fell in all age groups below 66 years. The strongest reductions were within the age groups 25-29 and 45-49 years, by 9.5 and 9 per cent respectively.

For men, the strongest declines were among the age groups 25-29 and 35-39 years, by 11.5 and 11.4 per cent respectively. For women, the strongest reductions were in the age groups 20-24 and 25-29 years, by 8.7 and 7.9 per cent respectively.

These results are based on data on sickness absence certified by a doctor, as the survey on self-certified absence does not contain data on sickness absence by age.

Tables

Sickness absence man-days for employees in per cent of scheduled man-days. Seasonal- and influenza adjusted

• Table 35 Sickness absence man-days for employees aged 16-69 in per cent of scheduled man-days, by type of certification. Seasonal- and influenza adjusted. Quarterly figures and change in per cent from previous quarter
• Table 36 Sickness absence man-days for employees aged 16-69 in per cent of scheduled man-days, by sex and type of certification. Seasonal- and influenza adjusted. Quarterly figures
• Table 37 Sickness absence man-days for employees aged 16-69 in per cent of scheduled man-days, by sex and type of certification. Seasonal- and influenza adjusted. Change in per cent from previous quarter

Sickness absence man-days for employees self-certified and certified by a doctor. In per cent of scheduled man-days (Sickness absence rate). Quarterly figures

• Table 1 Sickness absence man-days for employees self-certified and certified by a doctor. In per cent of scheduled man-days (Sickness absence rate). Quarterly figures. 2000-2012
• Table 2 Sickness absence man-days for employees self-certified and certified by a doctor, by sex. In per cent of scheduled man-days (Sickness absence rate). Quarterly figures. 2000-2012
• Table 28 Sickness absence by type of absence(self-certified or doctor-certified) and duration within the quarter