The amount of long term sick leave taken by municipal workers fell last year, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Around 14.5 million days of sickness allowance were paid by social security institution Kela, which is around 5% fewer than in the previous year. This drop was also reflected in the Kunta10 survey on sick leave among employees.
The fall in sickness-related absences from work may be due to changes related to the pandemic, such as increased teleworking, reduced social contact, changes in employment practices and shifts in the way people sought and accessed care.
According to Laura Pekkarinen, research manager at public sector pensions body Keva, fewer people retired due to disability in 2020 than in previous years. The number of accidents at work also fell in roles that switched to remote working.
One in three days of sickness allowance in 2020 was taken due to mental health problems. Jenni Blomgren, head of research at Kela, said it would be important to monitor and work to prevent mental health-related absences both during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
Sick leave varies with age and occupation
Sick leave data for the public sector held by Keva revealed differences in sick leave taken between various occupational roles.
According to Jenni Ervasti, senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the Kunta10 survey results and Keva's sickness absence statistics show that the burden of the coronavirus pandemic has fallen hardest on social and health care workers.
By contrast, fewer people in administration and planning were absent due to illness than before, which is explained by the shift to teleworking.
For local government workers under 30 years of age, work absences due to illness increased in 2020, compared to 2019. Ervasti said that while the results were concerning, the increase could be explained by the fact that younger people often work in roles with high rates of sick leave.
By age group, the most positive change has been for the over-50s, where absence due to sickness continues to fall.