In 2008, the Austrian Institute of Economic Research published its first report on absenteeism due to illness and accidents in Austria in 2007. The report shows that the incidence of short-term sick leave has risen steadily since the 1970s; nonetheless, it represented only 4.5% of the total number of days of sick leave reported in 2007. Furthermore, the report’s findings also reveal differences in the rate of sick leave in relation to gender, occupational status, age and sector.
About the report
In January 2008, the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, WIFO) published its first report on absenteeism caused by illness and accidents in Austria in 2007 (Fehlzeitenreport 2007. Krankheits- und unfallbedingte Fehlzeiten in Österreich). The report includes data on absenteeism in 2004; the 2004 data were collected by the Main Association of Austrian Social Security Institutions (Hauptverband der österreichischen Sozialversicherungsträger, HSV) and presented in two earlier publications, namely the ‘Statistics of sick leave’ (Krankenstandsstatistik) and the ‘Statistical manual of the Austrian social security institutions’ (Statistisches Handbuch der österreichischen Sozialversicherung).
Main findings
The data for 2004 cover 2.9 million insured employees, corresponding to 90% of all employed persons, with the exception of public service employees. In 2004, a total of 35 million days of sick leave were reported to the Austrian health insurance fund, which equals 12.2 days of sick leave per insured employee. The rate of absenteeism due to illness and accidents thus amounts to 3.3% of the total number of annual working days, and it is higher for men (3.5%) than for women (3.1%).
Incidence and duration of sick leave
Some interesting findings of the report relate to short-term sick leave of up to three days absence from work. Between 1970 and 2004, the incidence of short-term sick leave has increased steadily from 9% in 1970 to 26.2% in 2004. Although this means that every fourth reported incidence of sick leave corresponded to short-term leave, its proportion of the total number of days of sick leave amounted to only 4.5%.
On the other hand, sick leave of more than six weeks’ duration also accounted for only 4% of all incidences of sick leave reported; however, such lengthy periods of sick leave make up more than one third (35%) of all days absent from work due to illness. It is worth noting in this respect that, in Austria, employers are free to offer their employees the possibility to stay at home if they are sick for up to three days without providing a sick note from their doctor. In these cases, the sick leave is not reported to the health insurance fund and therefore not included in the statistics. As a result, it can be assumed that the real share of short-term sick leave is higher than that recorded by the health insurance fund.
Absenteeism by type of occupation
The rate of absenteeism also differs between blue-collar and white-collar workers: the former are more often off work due to illness than the latter (see table). For female blue-collar workers, the absenteeism rate amounts to 4.3%, while it is lower at 2.5% among women in white-collar jobs. The same trend in absenteeism levels can be found among men: the rate of sick leave among male blue-collar workers (4.5%) is higher than that of their white-collar counterparts (2.3%).
Absenteeism rates, by type of occupation and sex, 2004 (%)
Table Layout | | Women | Men |
| Blue-collar workers | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| White-collar workers | 2.5 | 2.3 |
| Total | 3.1 | 3.5 |
Source: Wifo, 2008
In addition, blue-collar workers are, on average, absent from work for up to 16 days when they are ill, while white-collar workers stay off work for an average of nine days in the case of illness. Moreover, short-term sick leave as a proportion of the total illness-related absenteeism rate amounts to 5.9% for white-collar workers and 3.5% for blue-collar workers; hence, short-term sick leave of up to three days’ duration is more common among white-collar workers than blue-collar workers.
Several factors contribute to these differences in absenteeism rates among blue-collar and white-collar workers. First, blue-collar work is characterised by greater exposure to health and accident risks. Secondly, the differences may also be explained by the interrelations between health and income. Low-income workers tend to carry out work that is physically more demanding and bears a higher accident risk. At the same time, a low income also correlates with other factors, such as unbalanced nutrition or lack of recreational activities, which can also negatively impact on health. Another explanation for this difference might be that absenteeism due to a lack of motivation decreases with increasing occupational status.
Effects of age on absenteeism
In terms of age, findings in relation to absenteeism levels interestingly show a U-shape: the rate of sick leave is higher among teenagers (at 3.5% for men and 3% for women) and young adults (3.4% for men and 2.5% for women), while it is lowest among employees aged between 25 and 44 years (for example, in the 30–34 age group, 2.75% for men and 2.25% for women). From the age of 45 years onwards, the rate of sick leave increases steadily, peaking at 6.5% for men and 6.6% for women in the 55–59 age group.
The duration of sick leave also increases with age. Younger employees are off work due to illness on average for eight days, while workers in the 60–64 age group are, on average, off on sick leave for up to 26 days. Nonetheless, the incidence of sick leave is higher among young workers, which can be explained by a less pronounced commitment to the company, as well as to a lower income. Thus, compared with older workers, younger workers have less to lose if they are dismissed.
Sectoral distribution
Differences in the absenteeism rate also exist according to the sector of economic activity in which employees work. The highest levels of sick leave can be found in the production and construction sectors (4.5%), with lower levels recorded in the services sector. In the manufacturing sector, in particular the manufacturing of furniture, jewellery, music instruments and sport goods, the absenteeism rate due to sick leave is even higher at 4.8%; this is due to the fact that the absenteeism rate amounts to as much as 6.1% for women working in the sector. One explanation for this high level of sick leave among women relates to the age structure in the sector. The manufacturing sector experienced major reductions in staff between 1995 and 2004, which led to a high average age of workers in the sector. In addition, poor working conditions and occupational stress may contribute to the high level of absenteeism due to illness in this sector. In sharp contrast, in the educational and financial intermediation sectors, the incidence of sick leave is lowest, amounting to 2.4% and 2.5% respectively.
Marion Vogt, Working Life Research Centre (Forschungs- und Beratungsstelle Arbeitswelt, FORBA)