The phenomenon of absenteeism in Spain has reached worrying levels in the first months of 2024. According to a recent report by The Adecco Group Institute, the rate of absenteeism, defined as hours not worked for occasional reasons, such as temporary incapacity or other reasons, has increased significantly. In the first quarter of this year, absenteeism reached 7.3% of actual agreed hours. This means that approximately 1,221,829 employees did not work during this period.
This increase represents a new peak in the problem of absenteeism in Spain. Last year, the annual rate of absenteeism stood at 6.8%, the second highest since 2000, equal to the rate in 2022. This year, the trend continues to rise, suggesting a worsening of the conditions that lead workers to be absent from their jobs.
The Adecco Group Institute report also highlights that mental health is a determining factor in this issue. Spain faces a greater mental health-related impact on the workforce than most of the countries compared. Companies themselves have begun to recognize the importance of addressing this issue to improve employee well-being and reduce absenteeism rates.
This increase in absenteeism not only affects the productivity of companies, but also has wider economic and social repercussions. The need to implement mental health support policies and other preventive measures becomes crucial to reverse this trend and promote a healthier and more productive work environment.
The current situation underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing absenteeism, including attention to workers’ mental health and improving working conditions in general. Companies and institutions must work together to find effective solutions to reduce absenteeism and improve the well-being of the Spanish workforce.
