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IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
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European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin Foundation)

European Working Conditions Observatory (EWCO)

COMPARATIVE STUDY

 

ABSENCE FROM WORK [21 July 2010]

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/studies/tn0911039s/index.htm

or

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/studies/tn0911039s/tn0911039s.htm

or

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/docs/ewco/tn0911039s/tn0911039s.pdf

[full-text, 29 pages]

 

Abstract:

This study addresses patterns of absence from the 27 EU Member States and Norway, the costs involved, policies for dealing with absence and general developments in relation to promoting health and well-being. Average rates of absence across Europe are between 3% and 6% of working time. A reasonable estimate of the cost is about 2.5% of GDP. There is also evidence of presenteeism – the practice of attending work while ill – although there is a general lack of data on trends. While some countries are attempting to control costs, others put the emphasis on promoting well-being.

 

The study was compiled on the basis of individual national reports submitted by the EWCO correspondents. The text of each of these national reports is available below. The reports have not been edited or approved by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The national reports were drawn up in response to a questionnaire and should be read in conjunction with it.

 

CONTENTS

Introduction

Definition of absence: sources and reliability of data

Absence levels and trends

Patterns of absence

Main causes of absence

Presenteeism

Costs of absence

Well-being at work

Practice in individual countries

Conclusions

References

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Stuart Basefsky                   
Director, IWS News Bureau                
Institute for Workplace Studies 
Cornell/ILR School                        
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor             
New York, NY 10016                        
                                   
Telephone: (607) 255-2703                
Fax: (607) 255-9641                       
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu                  
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