Statistics Norway (SSB) and Nav presented the figures on Wednesday.
– We need everyone we can to work in Norway. We cannot afford for absenteeism to continue at this level over time, says Employment and Inclusion Minister Tonje Brenna (AP) to NTB.
– We all have a big responsibility to reduce sickness absence. All employers, all employees, all those reporting illness and Nav have responsibilities and duties that must be followed up. I think there is a lot to be gained from following people up before they are away from work for a long time, she continues.
Most increase in self-reports
The self-reported sickness absence increased the most, by 6.6 per cent, while the doctor-reported absence increased by 0.6 per cent, according to Statistics Norway.
The percentage of sick leave remained at roughly the same level as during the swine flu in 2009.
– The reason for the slight increase in sickness absence in the 3rd quarter was that the agreed days’ work decreased more than the sickness absence days’ work. In total, this amounted to 10.6 million lost working days due to sickness absence this quarter, says section head Tonje Køber in Statistics Norway.
Growth in mental disorders
Sickness absence is now at the same level as the peak level in 2009, says Nav.
– It is good news that sickness absence is not increasing as much as earlier this year, but we are still at a very high level. There is continued growth in sickness absence due to mental disorders, and in the third quarter there was also an unusual increase in sickness absence due to respiratory diseases, says director of employment and welfare Hans Christian Holte.
Minister Tonje Brenna is also concerned about the absence due to mental disorders.
– When more people are absent from work for long periods of time due to mental health problems, we as a society must take action. We need to get those who can still work back to work. We must have a working life that tolerates the fact that not everyone is always at 100 per cent, and for many it is also good for their health to work, she says.
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