The Social Insurance Institution presented data on sick leaves issued in 2021.
ZUS: Fewer sick leaves in 2021
Published Feb. 11, 2022 08:53
Fot. Franciszek Mazur / Agencja Gazeta
According to ZUS, in 2021 doctors issued 20.5 million medical certificates to ZUS insured persons due to their illness. The total number of absenteeism days resulting from these certificates was 239.9 million. Compared to 2020, both absenteeism counted in days decreased - by 6.3%, and the number of certificates - by 1.3%.
"Sick leave was issued for an average of 11.7 days. But one person may receive several sick leaves in a year. At least 6.5 million people received at least one sick leave last year, or about 45% of the number of people covered by sickness insurance. Thus, the average duration of sickness absence was 36.7 days. In the case of men it was 33.5 days, and in the case of women, 39.5 days "- says prof. Gertruda Uścińska, president of the Social Insurance Institution.
What does the sick leave register include? They also contain medical certificates issued to persons insured with ZUS in order to care for a child and other sick family member. In addition, sick leaves are issued to people who are not insured with ZUS. Absenteeism, including these cases, amounted to 282.5 million days, for which doctors issued 24.6 million certificates.
Diseases related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium were the dominant causes of sickness absence. They accounted for almost 17 percent. absenteeism. Not much less, because 16.5 percent. breaks in work caused diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The next places in the ranking are injuries and poisoning (13.1%), respiratory diseases (11.6%) and mental and behavioral disorders (10.5%).
ZUS emphasizes that the sick leave register only shows a part of the sick leave resulting from the Covid-19 epidemic. The decision to impose quarantine and isolation is also an excuse for the absence from work and the basis for the payment of benefits. Therefore, in 2021, only 528.3 thous. medical certificates for COVID-19 for a total of 4.2 million days. Doctors also issued certificates for disease entities related to COVID-19, e.g. complications and rehabilitation after COVID. In 2021, there were 165.4 thous. such certificates for 1.7 million days of absence.
Source: ZUS
