French life insurance providers such as Swiss Life are having to cope with declining profitability, mainly due to rising rates of absenteeism from work.
French life insurance providers such as Swiss Life are having to cope with declining profitability, mainly due to rising rates of absenteeism from work. In this situation an insurance company has a number of traditional responses at its disposal such as raising premiums, increasing deductibles, or altering cover. In France, Swiss Life has decided to take a more creative approach that also benefits its clients.
Absenteeism causes disruption
In addition to the financial costs incurred when an employee is absent from work, absenteeism leads to disruption within the company and to unavoidable expenses related to lower output, the cost of replacing the employee, and lack of coordination. Furthermore, the elective or unjustified absence of a member of staff can often lead to feelings of resentment and discontent among co-workers who have to cover for the absence. It is therefore in the employer's interests to do everything in its power to limit absences that are not medically justified.
Medical assessment is the employer's right
French legislation recognizes the right of the employer to call for a medical assessment to be carried out by a doctor before it meets its obligation to continue paying a salary to the absent employee. This is the only way to establish whether the absence is medically justified or not.
Securex conducts 35,000 medical assessments every year
After signing an agreement with Securex on October 1, 2004, Swiss Life France and its clients are already reaping the benefits of Securex’s 35 years of experience in setting up medical assessments for some 20,000 French companies.
Securex is active in all production and service sectors, and is supported by a network of nearly 1,500 doctors. The agreement signed with the doctors has been validated by the French Medical Association and ensures that doctors comply with the Code of Professional Ethics when carrying out medical assessments.
Tailored solutions make the most of medical assessments
After analyzing the situation, Securex offers a tailored solution to the employer. This can take the form of systematic medical assessments, or can involve a less formal process for certain clearly identified areas or departments, or during particular periods. Defining an acceptable absenteeism rate also means that medical assessments are triggered only when the rate significantly exceeds this level. Finally, targeted medical assessments can be conducted if the absenteeism rates of a particular employee or group of employees need to be supervised. The cost of the second medical assessment is included as standard in Swiss Life France group insurance contracts.
Significant positive results
A system of medical assessments brings a significant reduction in absenteeism both in the private sector (one textile company saw the rate halved within a year – a drop of 1,028 days off) and in the public sector. Generally speaking, Securex has shown that only 54% of absences in the Paris region in 2003 were justified on medical grounds – a clear indication of the extent of the problem.
Securex also suggests that companies should introduce - if they have not done so already – a type of social barometer called the "Zebrazone". Using a bottom-up approach, the “Zebrazone” identifies, measures and compares the needs and degree of satisfaction of employees, as well as stress levels and the effectiveness of internal communications.
Finally, since dealing with absent workers also requires ensuring that their return to work is managed as efficiently as possible, Securex offers training to managers and supervisors on how to conduct different types of return-to-work interviews according to the length and frequency of time off.
Partnership with Securex allows Swiss Life France to continue offering excellent employee benefit plans to its clients without having to change premiums, deductibles or coverage. At the same time, it offers companies a highly effective tool for tackling absenteeism and its associated costs. Swiss Life France will be pleased to introduce your company to Securex.
For further information, please visit www.swisslife.fr
Absenteeism causes disruption
In addition to the financial costs incurred when an employee is absent from work, absenteeism leads to disruption within the company and to unavoidable expenses related to lower output, the cost of replacing the employee, and lack of coordination. Furthermore, the elective or unjustified absence of a member of staff can often lead to feelings of resentment and discontent among co-workers who have to cover for the absence. It is therefore in the employer's interests to do everything in its power to limit absences that are not medically justified.
Medical assessment is the employer's right
French legislation recognizes the right of the employer to call for a medical assessment to be carried out by a doctor before it meets its obligation to continue paying a salary to the absent employee. This is the only way to establish whether the absence is medically justified or not.
Securex conducts 35,000 medical assessments every year
After signing an agreement with Securex on October 1, 2004, Swiss Life France and its clients are already reaping the benefits of Securex’s 35 years of experience in setting up medical assessments for some 20,000 French companies.
Securex is active in all production and service sectors, and is supported by a network of nearly 1,500 doctors. The agreement signed with the doctors has been validated by the French Medical Association and ensures that doctors comply with the Code of Professional Ethics when carrying out medical assessments.
Tailored solutions make the most of medical assessments
After analyzing the situation, Securex offers a tailored solution to the employer. This can take the form of systematic medical assessments, or can involve a less formal process for certain clearly identified areas or departments, or during particular periods. Defining an acceptable absenteeism rate also means that medical assessments are triggered only when the rate significantly exceeds this level. Finally, targeted medical assessments can be conducted if the absenteeism rates of a particular employee or group of employees need to be supervised. The cost of the second medical assessment is included as standard in Swiss Life France group insurance contracts.
Significant positive results
A system of medical assessments brings a significant reduction in absenteeism both in the private sector (one textile company saw the rate halved within a year – a drop of 1,028 days off) and in the public sector. Generally speaking, Securex has shown that only 54% of absences in the Paris region in 2003 were justified on medical grounds – a clear indication of the extent of the problem.
Securex also suggests that companies should introduce - if they have not done so already – a type of social barometer called the "Zebrazone". Using a bottom-up approach, the “Zebrazone” identifies, measures and compares the needs and degree of satisfaction of employees, as well as stress levels and the effectiveness of internal communications.
Finally, since dealing with absent workers also requires ensuring that their return to work is managed as efficiently as possible, Securex offers training to managers and supervisors on how to conduct different types of return-to-work interviews according to the length and frequency of time off.
Partnership with Securex allows Swiss Life France to continue offering excellent employee benefit plans to its clients without having to change premiums, deductibles or coverage. At the same time, it offers companies a highly effective tool for tackling absenteeism and its associated costs. Swiss Life France will be pleased to introduce your company to Securex.
For further information, please visit www.swisslife.fr