Work absences for personal reasons rising
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Canadians are increasingly missing work for personal reasons (illness, disability and personal or family responsibilities excluding maternity). In 2010, 9.1 days were missed on average by employees working full-time, compared with 8.0 days in 2000. Factors behind this trend are aging workers, more women in the workforce, high stress and generous sick and family-related benefits.
In 2010, men were absent 7.6 days and women, 11.0. Full-time workers with one or more preschoolers were absent 3.1 days, whereas families without children were absent 1.4 days. Workers who do not belong to a union, are not permanent or work in the private sector missed fewer days.
The most days missed in 2010 were by full-time employees in Newfoundland and Labrador (11.0), New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba (10.4); workers in Alberta (8.1) and Ontario (8.2) were absent the least number of days. The industry with the most days missed was health care and social assistance (13.4) and the industry with the least days was professional, scientific and technical services (5.4).
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