Stress-related absenteeism rises in the Netherlands

Stress-related absenteeism is rising significantly in the Netherlands, with data from occupational health services ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare showing a 12 percent increase in lost workdays over the past year. Over a five-year period, this figure has risen by 49 percent.

Employees absent due to stress are away for an average of 257 days, while those suffering from burnout average 338 days of absence. Factors contributing to this trend include high workloads and external pressures such as financial concerns, caregiving responsibilities, and health issues. Statistics indicate that women experience stress-related absenteeism at roughly twice the rate of men, with longer average durations of absence.

Experts, including Robert Wondaal of Robidus Services, emphasize that late intervention causes employers to lose valuable talent in a tight labor market. They argue that prevention and early recognition of overload are more cost-effective than recovery efforts after long-term illness. Building a culture focused on mental resilience and a healthy work-life balance is presented as essential for business continuity and employee retention.