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.
- Prevention: Investing in a healthy working environment and paying attention to work pressure, ergonomics and mental well-being can prevent a lot of suffering – and costs.
- Reintegration: When, despite this, an employee falls by the wayside, a rapid and supportive response is crucial. A successful reintegration process presents a strategic opportunity: it retains talent and experience within your organisation and gives the employee a sense of perspective. The result is a win-win situation.
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.
