Injury is the leading cause of absence from work in Brazil

Injuries were the main causes for absence from work in 2021 in Brazil, according to data from a survey conducted by B2P, a consulting firm specialized in monitoring and managing employees on leave for medical reasons. In second place on the list are musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases (including tendonitis and muscle pain in various regions, such as the lower back). Mental and behavioral disorders are in third place.

The survey also identified that Covid-19 fell from the fourth to the fifth most frequent reason for leaves, surpassed by factors that affect health condition and access to health services – various socio-cultural factors that are related to high blood pressure, alcohol use, smoking, lack of activity, lack of knowledge of occupational risks, and others.

The survey includes 364 thousand employees in 15 Brazilian companies from different sectors, considering leaves in 2020 and 2021. The service for managing sick leave became part of It’sSeg’s list of solutions at the end of 2020, when the company acquired B2P. In 2021, the management of sick leaves generated a cost reduction of R$ 81.9 million for the companies served. In general, there was a reduction in the number of sick leaves.

Hybrid system

“The restart of the hybrid regime in 2021 brought a new scenario that presented changes regarding lifestyle, posture, food, and work structure, , which resulted in a reduction in benefits. However, we verified a shorter duration of absence, either due to administrative difficulties at the INSS, or due to extended”, explains Marlene Capel, Director of B2P.

“While musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases decreased, probably because of the adaptation to the hybrid model during the two-year pandemic, injuries continued at the 2020 level and became the most frequent reason for absence from work, possibly due to the gradual return to on-site activities,” adds the director.

Source: Revista Cipa