Highest sickness absence in 15 years – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country

From April to June this year, sickness absence in Norway was 7.1 per cent, new figures from Statistics Norway and Nav show. This corresponds to 10.6 million lost working days. – This year, the decline is much smaller than in most previous years, which contributed to the seasonally adjusted sickness absence days being increased, says Tonje Køber, head of section at Statistics Norway. Of the 7.1 per cent, 1.1 per cent were self-reports, while 6 per cent were sick reports from doctors. Self-reported sickness absence increased by 21 per cent, while doctor-reported absence increased by 8.2 per cent. Køber explains that although self-reports increased the most percentage-wise, these absences are shorter than sick reports. It is therefore doctor-notified absences that contribute most to the increase. More young people The figures also show that the development is greatest among young people. For the age group 25–39, doctor-registered sick leave is 10 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2023. According to Marit Hermansen, chief physician at Nav, there are also more people who are sick-registered due to minor mental disorders. – It is very much connected to life applications. There are young people who encounter things in life that give them stress reactions, sleep difficulties, and that they experience not being able to do what they should, she tells news. Marit Hermansen is chief physician at NAV. She says there are several factors at play. – We have had a pandemic where attitudes towards sick leave may have changed. At the same time, we have precious time, financial concerns, and the debate around social media and what is required of us as people. – Misunderstood care Hermansen believes we need to look at society’s attitudes towards being on sick leave. – What we know is that for those who have these ailments, it is good treatment to actually be at work, have structure in everyday life, receive care from colleagues and do something valuable, says the chief doctor. – And then the person on sick leave must think that being at work is good for them. – Are we too easy to stay at home? – I think it is misunderstood care. Giving sick leave is a bit like prescribing antibiotics – you have to dose correctly, and you have to understand that it is not always better. At the same time, workplaces must provide better facilities, and GPs must be given better tools to have good conversations with the person on sick leave, Hermansen believes. – Giving sick leave is a bit like giving antibiotics – you have to dose correctly, and you have to understand that it is not always better. Most women Women also have a higher rate of absenteeism than men. In the second quarter, sickness absence for women was 9 per cent, while the figure for men was 5 per cent. Hermansen says dramatic changes are needed. – When we see that 9 per cent of women are absent from work, we are doing them a disservice by continuing this. Much of the absence of women can be explained by biology. At the top of the list is pregnancy, a higher risk of serious illness, anxiety, depression and arthritis. – But that does not explain everything, and at least not the growth. There are a number of research programs that will look at this, and one hypothesis is that women have a different attitude to health sickness absence. And then perhaps you also have to look at the fact that women often have “the double shift”. Published 05.09.2024, at 09.46 Updated 05.09.2024, at 09.51



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