Workplace bullying and stress: sickness absences run into billions

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What’s going on in the Swiss business world? Workers are sicker than ever. They were absent from work for an average of more than nine days in 2022. This costs the economy an enormous amount of money: Premiums for daily sickness benefits alone, which companies use to insure the wages of their sick employees, reached 4.6 billion francs in 2021, “NZZ am Sonntag” writes.

It becomes especially expensive for employees to become mentally ill. They are then unable to go to work for an average of six to seven months. Significantly longer than other diseases. So why do so many people get sick? Problems often arise from bullying, stress and workplace arguments. “Just over 50 percent of all psychological disabilities at work arise from conflicts in the workplace,” says Simon Tellenbach, head of corporate clients at Vermögenszentrum (VZ), in “NZZ am Sonntag.”

Stress is increasing

Another study says 43 percent of employees feel stressed at work. In 2016, this rate was 38 percent. A third says they also work in their spare time. It will damage the item in the long run. And it makes you sick.

It is very important that such cases are detected as early as possible. Tellenbach recommends that companies address the issue openly and provide prevention training. After all, a survey among large companies in Switzerland shows that many are aware of the problem. They have made progress, particularly in the area of ​​mental health, as noted in the report.

For example, the post office offers 24/7 anonymous support to its German-speaking Swiss employees. This was so well received that the service expanded to other parts of the country. Swisscom also wants to launch a similar program. Because three percent of the telecommunications provider’s employees do not come to work every day due to illness. It’s worth the money. Even younger employees should be aware of the problem.

Fewer cases, longer duration

Companies believe that sickness absences have reached their peak, “NZZ am Sonntag” reports. But is this really the case? However, figures from insurance company Swica, the market leader in daily sickness benefits, cast doubt on this. Performance figures are up four to five percent this year compared to 2022. The number of cases decreased. However, especially long-term absences will increase. (pbe)

Source :Blick