In the initial quarter of 2022, 1,428,904 people were out of work each day. Of these, 1,135,385 cited medical reasons for their absence. Randstad Research recently published the latest absenteeism report, showing year over year increases of 20 percent in overall absence and 27 percent in medical-related absences compared with the previous quarter. These figures signal a notable shift in workforce health dynamics and the impact of health events on productivity. [Randstad Research attribution]
Two broad sectors account for the bulk of activity with the lowest absence rates. Information technology and scientific technical services stand out as consistently lower in absenteeism. In contrast, healthcare workers experience higher absence levels due to ongoing health risks, including greater exposure to illnesses and the lingering effects of prevailing health waves. This divergence underscores how sector-specific conditions shape workforce reliability. [Randstad Research attribution]
Broader absenteeism, defined as the unjustified loss of seven point one percent of hours agreed with the employer, plus one point four percent for other medically grounded or unexcused absences, encompasses both temporary incapacity and incidents of medically related time off. Yes, even when some hours are excused for health reasons, the total still reflects a meaningful portion of the workweek lost to absence. [Randstad Research attribution]
In absolute terms, 293,519 workers missed work during the first three months of the year. With roughly 20 million workers engaged in the economy, as reported by national statistics, about one point four percent were out for reasons not requiring medical justification. The remainder of the absenteeism figures results from sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, or breastfeeding leave and short-term disability. This distribution highlights how health policies and compassionate leave provisions influence overall attendance. [Randstad Research attribution]
health professionals
Sector-by-sector analysis reveals significant variation in absenteeism. Among the top ten sectors by percentage, health activities show an absenteeism rate of eleven point four percent, while housing assistance records eleven point three percent. These patterns draw attention to the heightened vulnerability of frontline care and related services during health surges. The data points to shared pressures across the health system during periods of increased virus transmission, with healthcare workers bearing a sizable burden. [Randstad Research attribution]
Both health care and housing support sectors illustrate why absenteeism climbs when the public health situation intensifies. The early months of twenty twenty-two saw a sixth wave of infections that put healthcare workers at particular risk again, underscoring the link between viral activity and workforce availability. [Randstad Research attribution]
computer related activities
Within the top fourteen sectors with the lowest absenteeism in the first quarter of twenty twenty-two, sectors tied to employment, programming, consulting, and other computer related activities stand out. Absenteeism was only three point six percent of agreed hours in this group. The table also shows business consulting at four percent and architecture and engineering at four percent. Overall, the absenteeism rate stayed below four point nine percent across fourteen sectors, reflecting strong resilience in technology and professional services. [Randstad Research attribution]
On the opposite end of the spectrum, sectors with higher absence include gambling and betting at ten point seven percent. Social assistance and nonresidential services that provide counseling to individuals and families register nine point six percent. Public administration, defense, and compulsory social security show a comparatively high rate of nine point six percent as well. These figures illustrate how varying job duties, risk exposure, and policy environments shape attendance trends. [Randstad Research attribution]