absence management - only consistent support helps A good absence management is worth it. Days lost and costs can be reduced by a third. Many companies, however, are not aware of. Necessary is an early controlling.
Compared with other countries, Mr and Mrs Swiss are exemplary. The Germans already celebrating with an average of 16 days absence, a historic low of sickness absence. In this country Employees are however, only 5.5 days per year in bed.
Companies should therefore not be happy anyway. After all, the amount of disease and accidents related absenteeism to around 170 million hours per year. The costs are considerable: 5% of the total wage bill at the hands of absent employee. Alone cost CHF 2.4 billion annually in absenteeism and lost production stress disorders. Mental illness is a big turn, invalidity risk. The number of sightings is due to Neuber mental diagnoses increased in the last 15years by 50%.
Short absences control
a disability, the employer is the least favorable. The company is charged with continued pay and bear the costs for the loss of production and the incorporation of a new employee. But it's worth it to avoid even shorter sick leave. Employers are given with a suitable absence management good options. At least 80% of absences due to illness. Especially chronic diseases are mostly to tell for a long time. The awareness is on many companies, however, still small. "Many companies are aware of the costs of their absences are not aware and does not systematically collect absenteeism," observed Sabine Deringer. The
Ph.D. psychologist derives from the School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, a course for Absence and Health Management. Many companies is also not clear that an absence management begins even before the expiry of the mandatory sick pay duty, namely when short absences. These experiences have the officers of the company Lista AG, Erlen already behind. Since the mid-90s, the sick in the manufacturer of factory and storage facilities had increased gradually. Therefore, the company introduced six years ago Absence Management. But success did not come. "We are doing less absenteeism reviewed consistent and not enough especially in individual cases, Just Checking," says personnel manager Notker Baumgartner. First
the introduction of a consistent controlling brought two years ago, the turning point. Since 2005, all sick leave are recorded. With frequent short absences examining the business talking to the concerned employees. For longer absences, the parties are encouraged to continued contact with their superiors. The supervisors also need to discuss their action with the Personnel Department. Together they searched for solutions for reintegration. Today, the 320 employees at an average of Lista 3.6 days per year sick leave. Consistent absence management has also led to the cooperative Migros Aare to a remarkable success. For the year 1999, the absence rate or 5.67% of all employees. "That means around 400
full-time employees were absent due to illness or accident," said Rolf Simon, director of health management
the Migros Cooperative Alliance. Today, the rate of absences or 3.63%.
out the long term, systematic care of sick leave employees in a huge savings. "With a good absence management, companies can lower their medical costs by about 20 to 30%," says Martin Werthmüller. He is head of claims management in the corporate business of Helsana. In a pilot study of Switzerland's largest disability insurer last year also examined the development of potentially hazardous IV daily allowance covers. These were about 73 people who were already on sick leave for 30 days. With one-third while the diagnoses
"psychical exhaustion" and "back problems" were the leaders. Thanks to targeted case management, over 90% of people return to the farms. Any illness that is not led to the disability caused a saving of around 24 000 Fr
taboo on mental problems can usually
Reintegration will be performed with reasonable effort. "In case of mental problems, it is often sufficient to relieve the person from the pressure. With back problems often rich tool for heavy loads, "said Martin Werthmüller experience. "It is problematic, however, that psychological diagnoses for companies still often a taboo," by Sabine Deringer. For the psychologist that is of concern. For the non-employment with mental illness the right way makes it more difficult for a reintegration. But above all, prevention is prevented, "said Sabine Deringer," because people trust for fear of job loss do not admit their problems. "
facts
absences are top priority
talks • The management is behind the absence management: preventive and systematic recording of sick leave, the management of data and the processes for reintegration must be established by it. • All absences, including a brief absences are systematically collected and the specific point is evaluated regularly by management. • With frequent short absences, the causes are unknown. It is necessary in the discussion with the concerned employees to search. • Prolonged absence, the regular contact between sick or injured person and operation can be ensured. • reintegration must be with the attending physician and the affected employees already spoken before the mandatory sick pay on resettlement measures for a longer time. • is finished, the mandatory sick pay, which include loss of income insurance in the reintegration process.
INTERVIEW Roger Ritler, Head of care management, health and accident insurance Swica
"The turnover is too little analyzed"
What do companies most often wrong in absence management? Roger Ritler: Many companies do not cover the absence of data. Therefore they have no figures available to analyze the reasons for the absences and take appropriate measures. Or a company knows well the entire absence rates, but not the absence of quotas for each department. A significant deficiency is when the fluctuation is not analyzed and held to be absent no return calls. As needed to change the environment so that everything does not happen this error? Ritler: include start a successful absence management must always by management and is based on a
corporate culture to promote health and a good working climate. It is especially important also to consider the management process and to ensure that absences in the company in a code of conduct exists and return calls to take place. Basis of service calls is the value estimate. Swica runs for ten years absence and care management. By what percentage the contractor could thus reduce their absence? Ritler: A consistently applied Absence or long-term care management will always lead to success. How quickly and to what extent it succeeds
to reduce the absence rate, but depends greatly on individual factors such as industry and company size. A reduction in absence rates by 20 to 30% is realistic and achievable in most cases. How many of Swica care management under custody can be reintegrated back into the companies? Ritler: does the care management within the first 60 days of sick leave one. By the year 2,500 sick or injured Care Management customers can return in about two thirds of their operation. What are the most common diagnoses that lead eventually to a care management service? Ritler: affect 70% of cases
psyche and back pain.
Interview: Elizabeth Rizzi Document HNDLSZ0020070220e32l0000x