Turning Absenteeism from a Cost into a Managed Risk
High absenteeism is one of the most significant and often underestimated cost drivers in Dutch organisations. For several clients, we introduced structured absence management programmes that combined legal compliance with a genuine culture shift, making sickness a shared responsibility rather than an HR problem.
- Annual Saving €500K
- Absence Rate 7%→5%
- Client Engagement
Our Approach
For multiple clients we introduced policies and processes around sickness ensuring compliance, accountability, awareness, and cost reduction.
- Implemented policies and processes fully aligned with the Wet Verbetering Poortwachter (Dutch Gatekeeper Law)
- Clarified and embedded accountability across the process, for both managers and employees, through training and clear protocols
- Built awareness of the true financial and operational impact of absenteeism at all levels of the organisation
- Coached managers on early intervention, supportive conversations, and reintegration best practices
The Outcome
For one client, absenteeism dropped from 7% to 5%, generating annual savings of €500,000 against a total investment of €45,000. That is a return of more than 10×. Across all engagements, clients reported improved manager confidence, faster reintegration, and a more proactive approach to employee wellbeing.
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Every engagement starts with understanding your unique challenge.
