Monitoring absenteeism data: make it easier with absenteeism software
43% of Belgian companies do not track their absenteeism data. This was established by a survey conducted by Mensura and research firm Indiville. A mere 6% use specialised tools to do so. And what a shame because your company has much to gain. Absenteeism software, for example, is well worth the investment. In fact, by doing so, you will make the tracking of your absenteeism data more flexible and gain more control of your absenteeism situation – and therefore also of your employees’ well-being.
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In May 2024, Mensura and Indiville teamed up to do a study among 1355 employees and 511 employers in Belgium. It turned out that 43% of Belgian companies do not monitor their absenteeism figures. 33% do try, but not regularly, while 23% does the job ‘meticulously’.
The larger the organisation, the more likely it is that absenteeism data is monitored. In very small companies (1-9 employees) it is only done by 20%, while in large organisations (1000+ employees) this number rises to 68%.
Monitoring absenteeism data: obstacles
The study revealed that companies have different reasons not to monitor absenteeism data. One third (33%) of the companies do not see the use of it; 15% confirmed that it is labour intensive or that they don’t have the chance to do it. 8% has ‘insufficient data’ to get a good picture of the absenteeism data.
“In that area, companies can still enjoy some great opportunities,” says Bart Teuwen, absenteeism expert at Mensura. “Absenteeism data contain a wealth of information. They help you to understand, predict and proactively tackle absenteeism in your organisation. In doing so you can end up saving money and invest in the sustainable employability of your employees. Monitoring absenteeism data is therefore essential for a healthy business.”
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'Absenteeism data contain a wealth of information. They help you to understand, predict and proactively tackle absenteeism in your organisation. In doing so you can end up saving money and invest in the sustainable employability of your employees.'
Bart Teuwen
Absenteeism expert at Mensura
What absenteeism rates do companies track?
Among the companies who claim to monitor their absenteeism data, we see a specific focus on the following:
Absenteeism rate (monitored by 45%) and absenteeism frequency (44%): these paint a general picture of how often and for how long your employees are absent.
Division short/long absenteeism (27%): gives an insight into the nature of the absenteeism: are your employees off for short or a long period?
Individual employee data (15%): this data helps you to personalise your absenteeism policy.
Percentage of zero absenteeism (11%): the percentage of employees who have never reported sick during a particular period. This figure is a good indicator for the sustainable employability of your employees.
Want to find out more about absence figures and which ones you should be monitoring? Nathalie explains it all in this blog.
Which tools do companies use to monitor absenteeism data?
Almost half of the companies (48%) have internal tables and spreadsheets in Excel, Google Sheets etc. This is by far the most popular option, but this approach is labour intensive and prone to error. 39% has a time registration system, while 38% works with the figuesr from the social secretariat. Both methods make it easier to automate your data, but the opportunities for analysis can be quite limited.
“94% still do not use specialised absenteeism software,” confirms Bart. “The other methods are a good starting point, but with software you can also really work towards a sustainable positive absenteeism policy that keeps on reaping the rewards.”
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Bart Teuwen
Expert in absenteeism
Being absent from work due to illness – sick leave – is a growing problem for our employers and social security system. Based on my expertise as a company medical officer in the Netherlands, it also became my ambition to have an impact on the approach we take to sick leave in Belgium. My passion – and the challenge facing me – is to be able to guide companies and managers as they evolve towards taking a sustainable and positive approach to absenteeism.
More of Bart Teuwen:
Being absent from work due to illness – sick leave – is a growing problem for our employers and social security system. Based on my expertise as a company medical officer in the Netherlands, it also became my ambition to have an impact on the approach we take to sick leave in Belgium. My passion – and the challenge facing me – is to be able to guide companies and managers as they evolve towards taking a sustainable and positive approach to absenteeism.
More of Bart Teuwen:
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