In Spain, the overall cost of workplace absenteeism for 2023 reached 37 billion euros, representing about 3.1% of gross domestic product and an average of 7.2% of total working hours lost. Some sectors, however, recorded absenteeism rates between 20% and 30%, which can undermine the competitiveness of companies. On a daily basis, an average of 1.5 million workers were not at their posts due to illness or other eligible reasons.
During the launch of the 2023 absenteeism report, prepared in collaboration with Adecco, it was highlighted that roughly 80% of absenteeism stems from temporary incapacity due to common health contingencies. The finding points to opportunities for relief through mutual insurance funds and other mechanisms, as well as collaboration from public administrations to reduce these rates.
The study framed the issue as a significant resource drain for business vitality and productivity. The data suggest that the figures are striking and simultaneously harmful to companies, signaling a need for concrete actions to improve attendance and performance across sectors.
Foment conducted a survey with 250 firms and analyzed more than 700 collective bargaining agreements to inform the study. The process will yield a set of concrete proposals to be discussed with administrations and mutuals. The report indicates that tighter control of medical leaves and a greater role for mutuals in supporting public health services could shorten leave durations and enhance workforce resilience.
At the presentation, the labor secretary emphasized the importance of mental health concerns and highlighted the value of public-private cooperation to propose practical solutions for this challenge.
The study also clarifies the concept of absenteeism as the situation in which a worker does not attend the place of work where duties should be performed, and it may extend to the non-execution of tasks tied to a given role.
A recent joint study by Umivale Activa and the Valencian Institute of Economic Research (Ivie) found that the rate of absenteeism due to temporary incapacity rose by an average of 43% since 2018. The same report noted that last year alone saw 5.9% of total working days lost to sickness, nearly two percentage points higher than the 4.1% recorded five years earlier.