Sick leave is increasing

The number of sick days per employee during the sick pay period increased by 0.07 days in the second quarter compared to the same quarter in 2007. In total the number of sick days per employee during the sick pay period was 1.04.

The increase for the private sector was 0.08 to 0.92 days in 2008. The number of sick days per employee increased in the public sector as well. The central government sector had the largest increase by 0.10 days to 0.86 days per employee. During the second quarter, total sick pay was given for an average of 0.82 days per employee.

Sick days per employee by sector and sex

Sector	Sex	2nd quarter
Sector	Sex	2008	2007
Private	Women	1.04	0.94
	Men	0.85	0.78
	Total	0.92	0.84
Municipality	Women	1.50	1.42
	Men	1.08	1.07
	Total	1.42	1.35
County council	Women	1.39	1.34
	Men	0.86	0.83
	Total	1.29	1.24
Central government	Women	1.13	1.00
	Men	0.60	0.52
	Total	0.86	0.76
Total	Women	1.23	1.15
	Men	0.85	0.79
	Total	1.04	0.97

The number of sick periods increased

Compared to the second quarter of 2007, the number of sick periods per employee in the second quarter of 2008 increased by 0.02 to 0.25 periods. In private sector the number of sick periods per employee was 0.23 which is an increase by 0.02 periods compared to 2007. In central government sector the number amount to 0.19 corresponding to an increase by 0.03 periods compared to 2007. In municipality and county council the number of sick periods per employee were 0.33 respective 0.31. In both sectors the increase was by 0.02 periods compared to the second quarter of 2007.

Definitions and explanations

Sick pay period The period when an employee is absent from work due to sickness and is eligible for sick pay.

Sick days All calendar days in the sick period, regardless of whether the employee is reimbursed for all days with sick pay or not.

Sick period Each time an employee begins a sick period a new period is generated, regardless of how many sick days the period consists of. The survey presents periods that were completed during the quarter.

The survey is published quarterly. The surveys for 2002-2005 have been published on the website of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.