Tackling absenteeism: this book helps you step by step

In Wallonia, the number of people unable to work has increased by 80% over the last ten years. This is significantly higher than in Brussels (+50%) and Flanders (+20%). Today, one in seven Walloon workers is on long-term sick leave. In other words, Walloon companies face a major challenge in remaining competitive and profitable. There is also still a lot of work to be done to achieve the objectives of the government agreement, which will soon be the subject of a new royal decree.

Advice for small and large companies

In his book (Absenteeism can be tackled!), absenteeism expert Bart Teuwen urges companies to change their view of (long-term) absenteeism. The book is full of practical advice and tools to enable companies to take immediate action. These recommendations are aimed at companies of all sizes and are relevant to both entrepreneurs starting from scratch and those who have already implemented initial measures to promote an anti-absenteeism policy. In addition, several companies share their practical experience on how they effectively manage absenteeism.

Bart Teuwen: ‘Show me your absenteeism figures and I'll tell you whether your company is in good health.’ I often use this joke as an icebreaker when I meet business owners and managers who want to tackle absenteeism head-on.

However, many companies tend to postpone tackling absenteeism due to illness in depth. Or perhaps they are considering giving up because they find the approach too complex or too costly. But this inertia comes at a price: lower productivity, less engagement, reduced attractiveness as an employer and, last but not least, rising absenteeism costs.

In my book, I provide a number of tools and show that every company is capable of reducing and preventing absenteeism due to illness, regardless of its budget. The fact that even the government is taking the plunge means that addressing absenteeism is no longer optional."

Cultural shift

The book advocates a cultural shift in how companies approach absenteeism due to illness. "We must stop viewing illness as inevitable and focus more on what can motivate workers to be present. Work is often an anchor that allows workers to find their place in society, both during and after their illness. A quick return to work is beneficial for both the employer and the worker," concludes Bart Teuwen.