Sickness absence, Q3 2012

Doctor-certified sickness absence increased by 1.5 per cent and self-certified absence dropped 4.5 per cent.

Both men and women had a rise in the seasonal and influenza-adjusted sickness absence, of 0.5 and 0.8 per cent respectively.

Since the 2nd quarter of 2001, when the agreement on an inclusive labour market was implemented, the seasonal and influenza-adjusted sickness absence has dropped by 11.5 per cent.

Statistics without seasonal and influenza adjustment

Since the following comments in this article are based on data that is not adjusted for seasonal and influenza variations, we look at changes over the past year, from the 3rd quarter of 2011 to the 3rd quarter of 2012. During this period, the sickness absence rates decreased by 5 per cent.

The self-certified sickness absence rate decreased by 14.6 per cent and the doctor-certified rate dropped 3.6 per cent from the 3rd quarter of 2011 to the 3rd quarter of 2012.

Largest reduction among men

Sickness absence among men has fallen from 5.2 to 4.9 per cent in the last year - a decrease of 5.8 per cent. Sickness absence among women has declined from 8.4 per cent to 8 per cent. This corresponds to a decrease of 4.3 per cent.

Decrease in all industries - except one

The sickness absence rate decreased in all industries except one: agriculture, forestry and fishing had a small increase of 0.9 per cent. The information and communication industry and the transportation and storage industry had the largest decreases, of 12 and 10.4 per cent respectively.

Largest reduction in public administration

The sickness absence rate in all sectors went down last year. Public administration, including health enterprises, had the largest reduction with 7.9 per cent. Sickness absence in the private sector dropped 5.6 per cent, while decreasing 2 per cent in local government.

Decrease among the youngest age groups

The doctor-certified absence fell in all age groups below 64 years. The strongest reductions were within the age groups 20-24 and 30-34 years, by 5.7 and 4.6 per cent respectively.

Among men, the strongest declines were in the age groups 60-64 and 30-34 years, by 7.1 and 6.3 per cent respectively. Among women, the strongest reductions were in the age groups 20-24 and 35-39 years, by 6 and 3.9 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