A vital green sector is essential: absenteeism remains high |
|
|
|
|
 |
| 167 sec |
Half of the Dutch population is overweight — green companies are feeling the effects
In the Netherlands, half of the population is now overweight. According to RIVM, this percentage is expected to rise to 64 percent by 2050. This trend has a direct impact on the workplace.
| Image for illustration, generated with AI |
Absenteeism in the green sector has been rising for years. In 2022, landscapers and green space managers had an absenteeism rate of 6.78 percent. Although this rate has slightly declined to 5.95 percent in 2024, it remains high. For comparison: the average absenteeism rate across the broader green, ground and infrastructure sector is significantly lower at 4.52 percent.
Barbara Prins, HR Manager at AH Vrij Groen Grond en Infra, notes that absenteeism at her company has been declining again after the Covid period.
 | | Barbara Prins, HR Manager at AH Vrij Groen Grond en Infra |
|
|
Overweight costs the Netherlands billions
An unhealthy lifestyle is a major cause of long-term absenteeism. Maastricht University calculated that overweight and obesity cost the Netherlands €79 billion annually. These costs stem not only from healthcare expenses but also from reduced labour participation and productivity. Additionally, 60 percent of GP visits are lifestyle-related, according to figures from 'Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn'.
The green sector is no exception. While workers are physically active, they are not necessarily healthy. Especially in hands-on roles, healthy eating, quality sleep and a good work-life balance are not a given. The result: physical complaints, absenteeism, and lengthy reintegration processes.
|
|
Figures from Stigas show that although absenteeism has slightly declined in recent years, it remains structurally high.
| |
|
 | | Absenteeism in the green sector from 2022 to 2024. The figures clearly show that absenteeism among landscapers and green space managers is structurally higher than in the broader green, ground and infrastructure sector |
|
|
Vitality pays off — especially with employer support
More and more companies are investing in vitality, according to research by Acture, a social security provider. Of the employers surveyed, 37 percent offer vitality programs. Examples include gym reimbursement (50 percent), healthy food in the canteen (36 percent), or programs focused on work-life balance (34 percent).
And it pays off. Employees who participate in such programs feel fitter, happier and more energetic. 69 percent report improvements in both physical and mental health. Notably, participation rates increase significantly when employers contribute financially.
The green sector can't afford to lag behind
In a tight labour market, employability is crucial. Yet 63 percent of employers still do not offer any health or vitality programs. For the green sector — where work is physically demanding and absenteeism rates are high — this is a missed opportunity.
Figures from Stigas show that although absenteeism has slightly declined in recent years, it remains structurally high. Employers who want to invest in sustainable employability will need to promote health — not just out of care for their employees, but also because absenteeism has simply become too costly.
|
|
Employees in the green sector are physically active, but not necessarily healthy. The result: physical complaints, absenteeism and lengthy reintegration processes.
| |
|
Vitality approach for physically demanding work
The Van der Tol Groep recognises that absenteeism among its employees is relatively high, although HR Manager and Quality, Health & Safety, and Environment (QHSE) Manager Myra Waegemakers notes that overweight is not the cause. "Sometimes long-term absenteeism is simply bad luck. We always look together at the best way to shape the reintegration process."
The company employs several tools to promote vitality and sustainable employability. Through the digital platform Hello You, employees have access to information on physiotherapy, healthy lifestyle (nutrition and exercise), and mental health. The Hello Mentaal section offers support on work-life balance and coping with overload. This digital offering partly replaces the former coaching program and, according to Waegemakers, is more accessible and continuously available.
Physiotherapy support is used extensively in practice. Due to the physical demands of the work, complaints can arise early. Through the platform, employees receive advice and exercises aimed at addressing symptoms in the early stages and preventing absenteeism.
|
|
The digital platform Hello You gives employees access to information on physiotherapy, healthy lifestyle, and mental health.
| |
|
 | | Myra Waegemakers, HR Manager and QHSE Manager at Van der Tol Groep |
|
|
Work processes adjusted to reduce strain
In addition to digital support, Van der Tol Groep provides a piece of fruit daily in the workplace to raise awareness of healthy eating. Physical activity is encouraged through participation in Bedrijfsfitness Nederland. The company also took part, through its occupational health service, in the Vitale Hoveniers project by Koninklijke VHG, where employees themselves identified bottlenecks in the work process. This led, among other things, to the deployment of a small crane on service vehicles to reduce lifting strain. Internal communication and work preparation were also addressed to improve coordination between office and field staff and to create realistic schedules.
Health bonus
As an additional incentive, Van der Tol Groep offers a health bonus: employees accumulate a savings amount when they have little or no absenteeism. According to Waegemakers, this helps raise awareness that absenteeism not only has personal consequences, but also increases workload for colleagues.
With this combination of measures, Van der Tol Groep aims to structurally support the wellbeing and employability of its staff.
|
|
Van der Tol Groep also provides a daily piece of fruit in the workplace to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating.
| |
|
This article was previously published on 19 June 2025 on the website of Stad + Groen.
| AH Vrij Groen, Grond en I... | |
| |
| LOG IN
with your email address to respond.
|
|
|
| There are no comments yet. |
Tip the editors
|
