My column in the TJ tomorrow covers the new absenteeism data for New Brunswick and the other provinces. I don’t do much speculation on the reasons why absenteeism is higher in New Brunswick (subjective) but I do say the big difference between women and men likely is related to women taking more time off for family reasons.
If you want to read the report from Stats Can or download data, you can do so here.
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Days Lost per Year – Average Worker (2011)
Illness or Personal Reasons – not incl. maternity/paternity
|
CAN |
NB |
|
| Total, all industries |
9.3 |
10.8 |
| Goods-producing sector |
8.3 |
8.6 |
| Agriculture |
7.8 |
n/a |
| Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas |
7.1 |
n/a |
| Utilities |
7.3 |
n/a |
| Construction |
7.6 |
5.2 |
| Manufacturing |
9.1 |
11.7 |
| Services-producing sector |
9.7 |
11.7 |
| Trade |
7.9 |
8.6 |
| Transportation and warehousing |
12.3 |
10.2 |
| Finance, Insurance, real estate and leasing |
8.5 |
11.7 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services |
5.8 |
8.6 |
| Business, building and other support services |
10.1 |
13.5 |
| Educational services |
9.4 |
10.4 |
| Health care and social assistance |
14 |
17.4 |
| Information, culture and recreation |
8.6 |
7 |
| Accommodation and food services |
7.6 |
9.3 |
| Other services |
6.5 |
N/A |
| Public administration |
12.8 |
14.5 |
Days Lost per Year – Average Worker (Percentage Change 2007-2011) – New Brunswick
Illness or Personal Reasons – not incl. maternity/paternity
| Total, all industries (6) |
3% |
| Goods-producing sector (7) |
-2% |
| Construction [23] |
-21% |
| Manufacturing [31-33] |
6% |
| Services-producing sector (8) |
5% |
| Trade [41 44-45] |
-15% |
| Transportation and warehousing [48-49] |
-12% |
| Finance, Insurance, real estate and leasing [52-53] |
-18% |
| Business, building and other services |
-15% |
| Educational services [61] |
44% |
| Health care and social assistance [62] |
17% |
| Information, culture and recreation [51 71] |
-9% |
| Accommodation and food services [72] |
-13% |
| Public administration [91] |
31% |
Days Lost per Year – Average Worker (2011)
Illness or Personal Reasons – not incl. maternity/paternity
|
Males |
Females |
Diff: |
|
| Canada |
7.7 |
11.4 |
48% |
| Nova Scotia |
8.8 |
13.2 |
50% |
| New Brunswick |
8.3 |
14.0 |
69% |
| Quebec |
9 |
13.2 |
47% |
| Ontario |
6.8 |
10.2 |
50% |
| Manitoba |
8.9 |
11.9 |
34% |
| Saskatchewan |
8.9 |
13.9 |
56% |
| Alberta |
6.3 |
10.3 |
63% |
| British Columbia |
8.7 |
11.4 |
31% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
8.5 |
12.5 |
47% |
| Prince Edward Island |
7.3 |
12.8 |
75% |
Well of course the rates could be caused by any number of factors, but I have to say, the first one that occurs to me is: lower pay, more absenteeism.
As a front line health care professional it is not surprising to me that we have the highest rate of abesenteeism both in Canada and in NB. This is due to shiftwork which lowers immune systems, contact with highly infectious people,working short staffed and many overtime shifts, working in highly demanding stressful environments with little to no appreciation or understanding,and increased musculoskeletal injuries while caring for our patients.