In a revealing new study, Medex, a medical institution affiliated with the Health Ministry, has highlighted a troubling trend in government employee sick leave for the year 2023.
According to the study, stress-related mental illnesses have become the primary cause of absenteeism among civil servants, contributing to a significant rise in sick leave days compared to previous years.
The study, released on Monday, indicates that in 2023, government employees were absent for an average of 6.71 days out of every 100 working days due to illness. This marks a slight increase from the 6.63 days reported in 2022.
The total number of single-day absences also saw a notable surge, reaching 182,240 days, up from 168,829 in the previous year. This increase has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a persistent issue with employee health and well-being.
Stress-related mental illnesses emerged as the dominant factor behind these absences, accounting for 40.8% of all sick leave periods.
Combined with musculoskeletal disorders, these conditions were responsible for six out of ten sick days taken by government employees. This highlights a concerning pattern where mental health issues are significantly impacting the workforce’s ability to maintain regular attendance.
The study also found that the rate of sick leave increased with the age of employees, with older workers exhibiting higher absenteeism rates. Female employees were also disproportionately affected, as they recorded higher sick leave rates compared to their male counterparts.
Additionally, employees with lower levels of education tended to have higher rates of absenteeism, suggesting a possible link between educational attainment and health outcomes.
Despite the increase in sick leave rates, the average duration of absences decreased slightly from 7.5 days in 2022 to 7.2 days in 2023. This reduction in the average length of absence could indicate a shift towards shorter, more frequent absences rather than extended periods of leave.
Furthermore, the proportion of civil servants who had no absences at all was lower than in previous years, underscoring a broader trend of increased absenteeism.
The report also highlights a significant rise in long-term illnesses, defined as absences exceeding 30 calendar days. From 2019 to 2023, there was a 23.7% increase in such cases, reflecting a growing challenge in managing prolonged health issues within the government workforce.
Additionally, there has been an increase in cases where employees have returned to work with reduced hours, indicating ongoing health concerns even after their return.
In response to the increased absenteeism, the study reported that there were 36,568 checks conducted to validate the fitness of absent employees for work in 2023.
However, in 14% of these cases, the examining doctors were unable to provide an opinion because the employees were not at home for the check or failed to follow up with a medical office appointment.
The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for addressing mental health issues and improving support systems for government employees.
With stress-related illnesses being a leading cause of absenteeism, it is crucial for both employers and policymakers to prioritize mental health initiatives and workplace wellness programs to mitigate the impact on the workforce and ensure a more productive and healthy work environment.
As the year progresses, it will be important to monitor these trends and implement effective strategies to address the root causes of absenteeism.
The study serves as a stark reminder of the evolving challenges faced by government employees and the need for comprehensive measures to support their well-being.
