Sickness absence, Q3 2011

Doctor-certified sickness absence decreased from 6.1 to 5.8 per cent, while self-certified sickness absence remained unchanged at 0.8 per cent.

Sickness absence in the third quarter of 2011 was 11.2 per cent lower than in the third quarter of 2001, which was the year of implementation of the agreement on an inclusive labour market.

Strongest decrease for men

Sickness absence for men decreased from 5.6 to 5.2 per cent. The absence for women decreased from 8.6 to 8.4 per cent; a fall of 47.1 and 2.7 per cent respectively.

Decrease in nearly every industry

Amongst the major industries, the manufacturing and accommodation and food services industries had the strongest decreases, of 10.9 and 9 per cent respectively.

Education was the only industry that showed a small increase - of 1.2 per cent.

Strongest decrease in private sectors

Local government had a small increase in sickness absence of 0.4 per cent. In the private sector, the absence decreased by 7.1 per cent, while the absence in central government (including health enterprises) dropped by 1.5 per cent.

The sickness absence level in the 3rd quarter of 2011 was lowest in the private sector, with 6.2 per cent, and highest in local government, with 8.3 per cent.

Strongest decrease for the youngest age groups

The doctor-certified absence fell in all of the major age-groups, with the strongest decrease among the youngest age groups (below 30 years). The age group 25-29 years had the strongest decrease by 10.7 per cent.

Within the different age groups by sex, the strongest reduction was among females in the age groups 16-19 and 20-24 years; 10 per cent. For men, the age group 25-29 years had the strongest decrease, of 12.9 per cent.

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:

• 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. 2000-2010
• 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. 2000-2010
• Table 28 Sickness absence, by type of absence (self-certified or doctor-certified) and duration within the quarter