The figures are unmistakable: incapacity for work is a growing challenge in Belgium. Over half a million people have been off work for more than a year, putting our country near the top of the European table when it comes to long-term inactivity due to illness. This trend was examined during the recent Vanbreda symposium on work incapacity. The message was clear: it’s time for a carefully considered and positive approach in which employers have a key role to play.
Today, over 7.2% of the active Belgian population are on long-term sick leave – that’s more than 500,000 employees and self-employed people. The figure continues to rise year after year. With the inflow of long-term sick people exceeding the outflow, the pressure on our labour market and social security system will increase further in the absence of structural measures. Unless action is taken, the numbers are likely to climb to over 600,000 by 2035.
Behind these statistics lie human stories: employees struggling with their health and well-being. The impact on the workplace is significant: loss of productivity, rising replacement costs and the disruption of business continuity.
Clearly, a reactive approach is no longer enough: we advocate a holistic vision that shifts the focus from mere damage limitation to proactive prevention and supportive reintegration.
Work incapacity is a high-profile issue for both employers and the government. The recent Vanbreda symposium provided a platform for sharing insights from experts – ranging from the legal implications of the coalition agreement to scientific principles for prevention and macro-economic analyses.
Managing work incapacity requires a combined effort and a strategic view. By focusing now on prevention and effective reintegration, we can work together towards a labour market that’s healthier, more sustainable and more inclusive.
Contact your regular Vanbreda advisor for insights and tailor-made solutions.
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Increasing numbers of people on long-term sick leave and persistent labour market shortages have put the subject of incapacity for work high on the agenda. During a recent symposium, Lode Godderis, Professor of Occupational Medicine at KU Leuven and CEO of IDEWE, shared his insights into this complex challenge. He put this fundamental question to those present: are we addressing this growing problem the right way?
More than 500,000 Belgians are on long-term sick leave – and the number continues to grow by 5.5% every year. The impact on our social security system and on employers is significant. But there’s good news: the federal coalition agreement for 2025-2029 includes a definite commitment to change this. With a strong focus on prevention, faster reintegration and shared responsibility, government policy is shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach.
As an employer with activities in multiple countries, you want your employees to enjoy the same quality of healthcare and insurance wherever they are in the world. The challenge lies in managing employee benefits packages efficiently in a way that’s both compliant with local legislation and consistent with your global HR strategy. So how can you turn your international approach into an asset in the war for talent? And how can Vanbreda Risk & Benefits help you to do so?