Svenljunga municipality is grappling with persistently high sick leave rates, particularly among healthcare workers in elderly care, according to a recent investigation. The municipality's sick leave figures have remained elevated and increased in recent years, with the social services administration being most affected.
An investigation into the statistics reveals that mental health issues dominate among those on long-term sick leave. More than half of long-term sick leave cases involve mental health problems, with assistant nurses in elderly care being the occupational group with the highest sick leave rates in Svenljunga municipality.
Now the work begins, we need to focus on what we can influence
According to operations manager Ulrika Hautala, while the investigation shows mental health issues are prevalent, it's not necessarily clear that the causes are work-related. "Now the work begins, we need to focus on what we can influence," Hautala stated.
The issue reflects broader national concerns about working conditions in elderly care. Elderly and Social Insurance Minister Anna Tenje (M) recently commented on a national report showing that assistant nurses in elderly care have twice as high sick leave rates as the labor market average, calling the results "terrible" and emphasizing the need to improve working environments.