Psychosocial risks weigh on absenteeism
The 17th edition of Ayming's Absenteeism and Engagement Barometer, published on June 13, found that French employees were sick 23.3 days per year in 2024, compared to 12 in 2012. This sharp increase was measured by surveying 1,000 private-sector human resources (HR) professionals. And 49% of respondents reported high or very high absenteeism in their company. Thus, 55% of HR professionals believe they do not have the right indicators, or even none at all, to reduce it.
The aging of the workforce alone does not explain this phenomenon, which costs organizations €4,000 per employee per year, according to the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers. HR professionals who responded to the survey cited, in descending order of importance, the causes of absenteeism: non-occupational illnesses, demotivation and job dissatisfaction, personal problems, workplace accidents, and burnout.
These are all causes that can affect employee morale and mental health. Because it causes a shift in workload, absenteeism degrades working conditions, the social climate, and motivation, creating a vicious circle that fuels psychosocial risks (PSR).
The social protection group Malakoff Humanis made the same observation in its annual absenteeism barometer 2025 published on June 5. This study of representative samples of business leaders and private sector employees shows, firstly, that 51% of those who rate their mental health as average or poor suffered at least one absence during the year, compared to 42% for the entire sample.
“Employees are slow to consult”With 15% of prescribed sick leave in 2024, mental illnesses are now the second leading cause of medical absenteeism, behind ordinary illnesses (45%), but ahead of workplace accidents (13%) and musculoskeletal disorders (11%). "People are speaking out more. Employees, especially young people, no longer hesitate to seek help for this reason. This has also contributed to the increase in sick leave," explains Anne-Sophie Godon-Rensonnet, Director of Corporate Support and Prevention at Malakoff Humanis.
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