- Daily & Weekly newsletters
- Buy & download The Bulletin
- Comment on our articles
Related articles
Recent
Popular
Seven out of 10 Belgians go to work sick
Seven out of 10 people in Belgium show up to work even when they are ill or injured, according to a survey by HR specialist company Securex. Young, highly educated employees and executives are most likely to work when they are not feeling well. Some do it because they enjoy their work, but others do it out of fear of losing their job.
The study is based on a survey of 1,754 Belgian employees from both the private and public sectors, conducted at the end of March, 2013. As many as 73% of employees said that they had gone to work sick one or more days in the past 12 months, with health problems ranging from flu or strep throat to a broken leg and even cancer.
Of the sick employees, 20% continued to work as usual, 29% stopped working until they were better and 51% combined work and rest.
Comments
I find that an amazing statistic, genuinely. My experience of Belgium and people being on the sick is they do it at the drop of a hat and for as long as possible. I could be here all morning giving examples!
@Mikek1300GT - You make it sound as though Belgians were the laziest bunch of profiteers and fraudsters available. Know this: a medical certificate is necessary when you take off sick in Belgium; ‘medical inspectors’ can also call (without warning) at home any time during sick leave . – As to those stupid ‘face masks’ the way they wear them at the drop of a hat in China: utterly ridiculous, not to mention offensive. – And why not quote those examples whilst you are on the subject? So alleged fraudsters have a chance to defend themselves. Or it this one more case of the kettle calling the pot black?...
After 14 years in Belgium, you don't need to tell me how it works.
Examples include a neighbour that takes more time sick than they do at work.
My hiking partner given an extraordinary amount of time off work after twisting his ankle in July in Sweden. Even he was amazed that he was just given another two weeks. And where was he last week while on sick with this twisted ankle? He was doing fully kitted out training with me for our trip to Iceland.
And I was wondering why his girlfriend was home though I never asked, she eventually volunteered that she had a "crick in the neck" that did not seem to display any symptoms at all but had her off work "sick".
Oh, how about the guy who we only see once a year, a mystery illness that does not prevent him living in Thailand and only popping back once a year to keep his payments from Partena in order.
Then their is Steve, another mystery illness displaying no symptoms and one he has never bothered to explain to us. He decided he was bored and applied for, and got a job as a manager at a supermarket. He simply failed to go on the appointed Monday morning. His explanation? He was afraid he would not like it and if that happened, it would mess up his payments from the Mutuel.
Then there is the lady I know working for the government who simply fails to go to work at the slightest sign of anything less than perfect health, and better, fails to go if the weather is very bad.
Ah, two bus drivers. Where do I start with them?! I won't!
I have many more examples, but I will end with my own experience with an unusual nerve disorder that effected both my arms and hands. I could, without a doubt, still be on the Mutuel years later if I chose to be. I had to WANT to go to work, and there lays the problem and that is why I know people on sick for years on end.
I am astonished at this report that suggests the locals drag themselves to work when close to death. Socialist Belgium almost prides itself on workers not having to go to work in anything less than perfect health. Your medical certificate that I need to know about is pathetically easy to get and if your Doctor won't play ball, you just go to one that will.
Perhaps next we could discuss why people fluent in three languages, with all the required diplomas can remain unemployed, and paid to be unemployed, for over two years? You don't need to tell me how it works in Belgium, I am only too well aware.
@MIKEK13 - Heaven bless my soul! With a record keeping ability like that you ought to work for the local government, and no mistaking: I'm sure they’d welcome you with open arms! Success and all the best!