Sickness absence

The sickness absence rate reflects the total number of days employees are off sick as a percentage of the total number of days available in the period under review for that same group. Figures on absence due to sickness do not include pregnancy and childbirth leave. Since 2005, absence exceeding one year is included.

Data on absence due to sickness are based upon the Quarterly Survey Sickness Absence (KZV). The KZV surveys 25 thousand companies and institutions. The response covers about 18 thousand companies and the data refer to approximately 2.5 million employees. The KZV is a sample survey and therefore the results are subject to a margin of error.