Total sickness absenteeism in the second quarter is 6,3 percent, according to the seasonally adjusted data. This is an increase of 7,3 percent. compared to the previous quarter. The greatest increase is in the case of absences reported by the employees themselves.
Self-reported sickness absence (egenmelding) is 0,9 percent and increased by 28,3 percent.
We are closely following the developments and we hope that the sickness absence will decrease
- Sick leave is higher than normal, but we saw fluctuations between quarters throughout the corona pandemic. In the first and third quarters of last year, sickness absence was more or less at the same level as today. We are following these developments closely and we hope that sickness absence will decrease, says Hans Christian Holte, director of labor and social services.
In order to be able to compare the sick leave with the previous quarters, it is adjusted for seasonal fluctuations.
The rapid increase in sickness absence among women in several diagnostic groups
Sickness absence certified by a doctor in the second quarter of 2021 is 5,3%. Compared to the same quarter last year, this is an increase of 4,7%. Men recorded a slight decrease and sickness absenteeism of 3,8% (-1,9%). While the sickness absence of women has increased significantly and is now 7,1% (+ 9,4%).
- We observe a sharp increase in sickness absence among women in several diagnostic groups. This may be related to the fact that female-dominated industries, such as education, health care and social services, have been particularly challenged by the coronavirus pandemic, Holte says.
Increase in several diagnostic groups due to Covid-19. The greatest increase in sickness absence is in teaching
number sick leave due to proven or suspected COVID-19 increased sharply (+79%), but sick leave due to respiratory diseases decreased overall (-14,2%).
However, teaching has the greatest increase (+ 21,4%) in the event of sickness absence. It is followed by public administration, defense and social security (+ 16,4%) and mining and quarrying (+ 14,8%). Loss of capacity due to respiratory diseases, unlike other industries, increased in education (+ 13,9%), with the number of suspected or proven covid-19 increasing significantly (+ 179%).
- School and kindergarten workers are at risk of infection at work, and many have experienced challenging work situations where there has been a rapid shift between digital learning and physical presence. This may have contributed to the sharp increase in sickness absence, says Holte.
More than 10% increase in health and social services. Increase in sickness absence among the youngest
Absence due to illness is highest in health and social services (8,2%), an increase of 10,2%. The real estate industry, followed by accommodation and catering, also saw the biggest growth in the second quarter of last year.
In both sexes, the youngest have the greatest height, while the older ones have some decreases. The number of man-days lost due to respiratory diseases has increased in people under 30 years of age.
- In the second quarter, many of the oldest ones were vaccinated. While the younger ones were more likely to get infections as society gradually opened up into the spring, says Holte.
Growing differences between counties and Oslo is the county with the lowest sickness absenteeism
Sickness absence has increased everywhere except Oslo, which has 4,1%. and is at the same level as last year. Oslo is the county with the lowest sickness absenteeism. Sick leave is highest in Nordland and Troms and Finnmark (6,3%). Rogaland saw the largest increase (+ 9,1%) since last year, followed by Troms and Finnmark (+ 8,4%).
