Absence management

Our approach: a down-to-earth view of absence

Someone reporting sick is not by definition unfit for work. In around 70% of sick reports medical intervention or resting is not the answer. We find the solution together with the employee and the manager, mostly in other resources. Our goal: get your people back to work as soon as possible and reduce frequent and long-term absence.

Our specialists support many organisations in the offshore, maritime and energy sectors. There, absence has a bigger impact because critical people and roles cannot always be swapped. Fast and flexible action is essential. We bring that speed, knowledge and experience to organisations with less complex working conditions as well.

Four pillars

1. Raising the threshold to report sickTogether with you and your managers we develop subtle thresholds, such as a clear sick reporting protocol, so employees think more consciously before reporting sick.
2. Lowering the threshold to returnWhen absence lasts longer than a few days and the cause is not a simple flu, the risk of long-term absence grows. Together we look for ways to make returning easier.
3. Positively influencing reintegrationWhen absence lasts longer than three weeks we help with an optimal reintegration process: personal attention, ownership, adapted work and a gradual return.
4. De-medicalisingWe do not treat a sick report primarily as a medical matter. That way we quickly recognise non-medical causes that employee, employer and manager can solve together. We call it a no-nonsense approach.

Absence packages

In all packages we focus together on attention, behaviour and mindset, and we make sure you meet all legal obligations. Rates are per employee per year and depend on your absence rate; ask for a tailored quote.

Three packages

1. MediWerk BasicAbsence under control? With the Basic package you stay in charge. You benefit from our basic occupational health services with NOGEPA certified physicians and receive a signal as soon as absence exceeds the norm.
2. MediWerk IntensiveA lot of short and frequent absence, or a need for more support? Our case manager fills in the package with you, aimed at reducing absence.
3. MediWerk OptimalA high absence rate and a need to be fully relieved? This package combines all absence management including the complete absence administration, aimed at structural solutions.

Absence scan

Is your organisation suffering from staff turnover and rising absence without a clear picture of the causes? With the absence scan we map the possible causes: high workload, conflicts, other work-related problems or personal circumstances. The scan is the basis for targeted measures to reduce absence and strengthen prevention.

The absence scan is based on the behavioural model of absence: the lower the need to be absent (load versus capacity) and the higher the threshold to report sick (need and opportunity), the lower the absence. The threshold to resume work then determines how quickly someone returns. Managers can steer all of these with well-considered policy.

What the absence scan delivers

• A targeted approach to reduce absence quickly
• Less long-term absence and lower costs
• Happy and productive employees
• Lower workload for colleagues who no longer need to cover

Second opinion occupational physician

Since the amendment of the Dutch Working Conditions Act on 1 July 2017 an employee has the right to consult another occupational physician: the second opinion. An employee can request one when in doubt about the physician’s advice; the physician can also advise the employee to request one. The employee decides.

The employee’s own physician provides the second-opinion physician with all relevant information. That physician gives advice and discusses it with the employee; with the employee’s consent the advice goes to the treating physician, who states with reasons whether the advice is adopted in full, in part or not at all. The employer bears the costs, provided the second opinion follows the agreed procedure.

Occupational social work

Do you notice employees who are not feeling well without getting a grip on the cause? A work conflict may be smouldering, someone may be close to burnout, or private circumstances may play a role. A low-threshold intervention by an occupational social worker then offers a way out.

Our occupational social worker guides and coaches employees with psychosocial problems, trains managers and provides advice and information. This strengthens mental resilience and prevents long-term absence and high absence costs.

Rights and obligations of employer and employee

A healthy, safe and pleasant working climate is a joint effort of employer and employees. The employer must comply with legal rules, which are complex and changeable especially in the offshore and maritime world. The employee is responsible for following the safety and health rules.

MediWerk helps both sides take their responsibility and also advises works councils at an early stage. If you are absent for a long time we look at you as a person and search together for feasible options for gradual reintegration. How we handle your personal data is described in our privacy regulations and privacy statement at the bottom of this page.