Absence refers to being absent from the workplace due to illness, personal circumstances or other reasons. It occurs in every organization, but can have a major impact on productivity, work atmosphere and costs. In this article, we explain exactly what absenteeism is, what the causes may be, and how to effectively prevent absenteeism. More info...

What is absenteeism?
Absenteeism is usually divided into two categories:
Absenteeism
This occurs when an employee is absent due to physical or mental symptoms, such as flu, injury or burnout.Short-term and long-term absenteeism
- Short-term absenteeism: Absence from a few days to a few weeks, for example, due to a bout of flu.
- Long-term absenteeism: Absence of several months, often due to more complex health problems.
Causes of absenteeism
Absenteeism can have several causes, including:
1. Physical health problems
- Back pain, neck pain or other physical ailments due to poor posture or ergonomics.
- Chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
2. Mental health problems
- Stress, burnout or depression due to a high workload or poor work-life balance.
- Lack of appreciation or motivation in the workplace.
3. Work-related factors
- Unsafe or unhealthy working conditions.
- Poor communication or conflict within the team.
4. External factors
- Private problems, such as relationship problems or financial stress.
What are the consequences of absenteeism?
Absenteeism has both direct and indirect consequences for an organization:
- Higher costs: Wage payment during illness, replacement costs and lost productivity.
- Lower morale: Remaining employees experience additional workload.
- Reduced efficiency: Delays in projects and customer satisfaction can suffer from absences.
How can you prevent absenteeism?
1. Create a healthy workplace
- Provide ergonomic workstations with adjustable chairs, desks and screens.
- Improve air quality and provide adequate daylight.
2. Encourage movement and relaxation
- Encourage employees to take breaks and exercise regularly.
- Consider tools such as massage chairs from MediRelaxa To reduce physical and mental stress.
3. Support mental health
- Offer training in stress management or mindfulness.
- Provide a confidant or HR person that employees can turn to.
4. Improve work-life balance
- Give employees flexibility in their work hours or work from home options.
- Encourage a clear separation between work and personal life.
5. Perform regular check-ins
- Hold regular meetings with employees to monitor their well-being.
- Ask about possible areas of improvement in the workplace.
6. Implement proper absence registration
- Have a clear policy around absenteeism and communicate it to all employees.
- Use absenteeism rates to identify trends and potential problems.
Role of MediRelaxa massage chairs in absence prevention
Massage chairs can be a valuable addition to prevent absenteeism. They offer:
- Physical relaxation: Help reduce back and neck pain, which often leads to absenteeism.
- Stress Reduction: Regular massages reduce stress levels and prevent burnout.
- Increase in productivity: Relaxed employees are more energetic and efficient.
At MediRelaxa, we offer massage chairs designed specifically for use in the workplace. They are quiet, compact and easy to operate, so they can be effortlessly integrated into any work environment.
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About MediRelaxa
MediRelaxa fixes your back pain and mobility while you experience ultimate relaxation at your home or office.
We are based in Westerlo, Belgium and deliver our massage chairs throughout Europe.
- Free delivery in Belgium and the Netherlands
- Up to 5 years warranty
- Personal installation
Contact
Interested in our massage chairs or a general question? Give me a call and we'll help you out.

Giovanni Vaes
Managing Director