Occupational health and safety services see the highest ever increase in sick leave in education
Education staff in primary and secondary schools called in sick more than twice as often as other employees in the Netherlands last month. Arboned, the service that presents these absenteeism figures, speaks of a 'record increase' in absenteeism from education in November, compared to October.
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The number of sick leave reports across education rose by 77 percent in November, Arboned reports. When the education figures are broken down, primary and secondary education take the crown with an increase of 119 percent and 71 percent in the number of sick leave reports.
Stand out
"It's the highest increase we've ever measured for education," said Claudia Sedney, an Arboned spokesperson. “Education really stood out this time. At the end of November, the cabinet took measures against corona. We will probably see that reflected in the figures later on. In January they will be lower.”
It is the highest increase we have ever measured for education
The figures are based on the file of the occupational health and safety services Arboned and HumanCapitalCare. They also assist school boards in the education of sick employees. Half of the entire education system that the occupational health and safety services have is primary education and secondary education (including a few ROCs). Higher education is in a quarter of the portfolio and 'other' is an equal share.
The service has seen an increase in absenteeism in education since September. And that while usually a stabilization can be seen in November, according to the spokesperson. “It is not stabilizing now, but it is rising very strongly. This also applies to all sectors. Absenteeism due to illness is significantly higher than in 2019 and 2020.”
The average absenteeism rate throughout education was 6,2 percent in November. In the previous month it was still 4,8 percent. With an absenteeism rate of 9,6 percent, more than doubling in comparison with October, primary education recorded the highest figures. This figure shows that out of every ten working days, almost one working day is absent. Secondary education recorded 8 percent absenteeism. The increase was also greatest in primary education.
In addition to the sick reports, the reports from the Ministry of Education see that considerably more primary and special education schools closed their doors in November. In week 45 (from November 8) the chart shoots up and 17 branches closed completely, the week after 30 and in week 47 there were also 30.
Absenteeism in education is much higher than you would like. For the new minister, number one must be to tackle the teacher shortage
Unworkable situation
The numbers are amazing AObChairman Tamar van Gelder did not. “We have seen for some time that there is an unworkable situation in education. This is due to the teacher shortage and the high workload. Education staff have to take over work from each other and there is a greater risk of dropping out. On top of that comes corona and all the rules and the flu. Absenteeism in education is much higher than you would like, there is no longer any question of normal education. The new minister will have to be number one to tackle the teacher shortage.”
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