Increasing staff absences in Swiss SMEs: the AXA study (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Staff absences are increasingly costing Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises money.
• In the last ten years, the phenomenon has affected four out of ten companies.
• Among companies with 50-250 employees, the share reaches 62%.
• Over a third of the SMEs surveyed, 35%, are affected by absences for psychological reasons.

Key facts

• What: AXA study on staff absences related to mental status
• When: Study published today, with ten-year data and comparison on 2023
• Where: Switzerland (Zurich and national SME context)
• Who: AXA and the small and medium-sized enterprises surveyed
• Amount: 62% for companies with 50-250 employees and 35% of SMEs affected

Zurich sees the publication of a new study by AXA that analyses the trend of staff absences within Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises. Staff absences are increasingly costing small and medium-sized enterprises money, a phenomenon that has affected four out of ten companies in the last ten years. The situation varies according to the size of the company, reaching particularly high shares among medium-sized companies. Among companies with 50-250 employees, the share reaches 62%, highlighting how human resource management and business continuity represent a complex challenge for the Swiss economic fabric. Among the main emerging challenges is the psychological burden of employees, a factor that affects

Operational details

A deeper analysis of the results of the research conducted by AXA reveals direct correlations between the principles adopted in personnel management and the spread of absences for psychological reasons within companies. Company culture and the degree of autonomy granted to employees seem to play a decisive role in the prevention of emotional and psychological discomfort in the workplace. The differences detected between the various organisational models offer a concrete perspective on the internal dynamics of Swiss business realities, allowing us to understand which management approaches are most effective in safeguarding the psychological well-being of workers.

The impact of management principles and accountability

The statistical data published in the study show significant differences depending on the management philosophy adopted by the company's top management. Among companies that consider freedom and personal responsibility important, 27% report absences for psychological reasons. On the contrary, the share rises to 43% among companies that do not follow this principle, demonstrating how rigid control or lack of autonomy can exacerbate the psychological burden on employees. In addition, 66% of companies surveyed believe that responsibility for the mental well-being of staff rests with managers, confirming that the role of leadership is central in the perception of the work climate. Despite the awareness of the

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Key points

The response of Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises to the rise in absences due to psychological reasons highlights the need to carefully evaluate prevention practices adopted in the workplace. Preventive measures are not increasing compared to 2023, and the proportion of companies focusing on an open feedback culture has dropped from 35 to 28 percent. Other initiatives aimed at overall employee well-being remain at modest levels: the promotion of physical health through diet and exercise stands at 14 percent, while management training stops at 11 percent. A particularly relevant finding is that one in four SMEs reports adopting no specific measure to prevent absences related to psychological reasons, highlighting considerable room for improvement in internal organization and the preventive management of work-related risks.

Strategies and tools for business management

To address the challenges related to personnel management, financial planning, and organizational stability in a structured manner, companies and professionals can refer to targeted resources. When planning human resource interventions or evaluating costs related to employees, it is useful to compare economic and social security data through the tools available on the portal, which are useful for gaining deeper insight into aspects related to personnel management and corporate economics in Switzerland. For a detailed analysis of costs and opportunities in the labor market, consult the salary calculator.

Source: tio.ch