Absenteeism figures: only 1 in 2 companies monitors them

Sickness absence remains a blind spot for Belgian companies. Almost half (46%) do not closely monitor their own absenteeism figures. The same proportion has no idea how much sickness absence costs them each year. This is shown by Mensura’s biennial absenteeism study (2026).

The impact of absenteeism is noticeable, but insight is lacking

It is strange that so many organisations are in the dark when it comes to absenteeism. Because they do, in fact, experience a major impact. Short or longer periods of sickness disrupt the day-to-day operation of the workplace. Almost one in two companies (46%) currently experiences sickness absence as strongly to very strongly disruptive.

Yet 46% do not monitor absenteeism figures. The very smallest companies in particular lag behind (53%), even though they often feel the impact of sickness absence most strongly. In larger organisations with more than 250 employees, only 5% have no insight into absenteeism figures.

Want to know more about absenteeism figures and which ones are best to monitor? Nathalie explains everything in this blog.

What stops organisations from monitoring absenteeism?

Why do so many companies not monitor their sickness absence figures? Almost two thirds (65%) say they do not see the point. Three in ten do not have a suitable system and 13% find the monitoring too labour-intensive.

Bart Teuwen, absenteeism expert at Mensura: "Many companies still mainly view a sickness notification as an administrative matter. If you really want to take targeted action and objectively assess whether it has an effect, you need to analyse the sickness absence figures. Is a particular department absent more often? Is short-term sickness absence increasing? Are employees staying off work for longer than before? A few key figures will quickly give you that insight and also allow you to act."

"It is understandable that small organisations do not monitor absenteeism. For them, the main thing is to stay in touch and monitor absences. But as organisations grow, it becomes relevant from around fifty employees onwards to map absenteeism figures."

Many companies do not even know the cost of absenteeism

Besides absenteeism figures, the cost of sickness absence also appears to be a blind spot in Belgian companies. Almost half (46%) have no idea how much absences due to sickness or incapacity for work cost the organisation each year. Only one in five say they have insight into this.

Yet the absenteeism cost can add up. Bart Teuwen, absenteeism expert at Mensura: "Employers do feel that unplanned absences put pressure on their organisation. But they do not know how much these ultimately cost them. From this autumn, companies with more than 50 employees will have to pay an additional solidarity contribution for long-term illness. This amounts to 30% of the sickness benefit during the second and third months of absence. From next year, that contribution will be extended to the fourth and fifth months of absence."

"It therefore becomes even more important for companies to map the cost of sickness absence, gain insight into absenteeism trends within the organisation and focus specifically on preventing people from dropping out of work."

Tackling absenteeism efficiently starts with insight

Without figures and objective insights, it is difficult to tackle absenteeism in a targeted way. The absenteeism study proves this once again. Sickness notification and staying in touch are more often than not arranged, but vision, responsibilities, prevention and reintegration remain largely undeveloped.

A positive absenteeism policy is therefore an essential step to succeed in the fight against unplanned absences at work. As of 2026, only 1 in 5 organisations has such a developed policy.