Educators in Denmark’s municipalities average over 20 sick days annually, prompting concern over potential impacts on childcare quality and significant financial implications. A new analysis from CEPOS reveals that publicly employed educators registered an average of 16.2 sick days in 2024. This high rate of absenteeism is a cause for worry, according to Head of Research at CEPOS, Karsten Bo Larsen, who emphasizes its potential impact on the safety and care provided in Danish institutions.

The financial impact of this widespread sick leave is substantial. If all municipalities could match the sick leave rates of the municipality with the lowest absence, it would save the municipalities one billion kroner. Larsen also suggests that the high sick leave rate can serve as an indicator of management effectiveness within these institutions.

The issue extends beyond educators, with primary school teachers averaging 12.7 sick days, and social and healthcare assistants reporting 19.7 days, according to recent reports. While sick leave increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since decreased, a new, higher normal appears to have emerged in many municipal institutions.

Experts suggest several factors contribute to the high sick leave rate among educators, including close contact with children who carry various illnesses, high job demands, and staffing shortages. However, the significant disparities between municipalities raise questions. For example, educators in Sorø experience an average of 21.7 sick days per year, compared to only nine days in Lemvig.

Professor Per Nikolaj Bukh from Aalborg University points to a potential cultural factor, noting that the five municipalities with the lowest sick leave are located in Jutland, while the five with the highest absence are in Zealand. He suggests a difference in mentality between the regions, with Jutland having a stronger work ethic that discourages unnecessary sick leave.

Furthermore, the analysis reveals that municipal educators have approximately five more sick days per year than those privately employed in similar roles. According to CEPOS’s report, if all municipalities could reduce sick leave to the average level of privately employed educators, it would free up 2,366 full-time positions, corresponding to over one billion kroner.

The Municipalities’ National Association (KL) acknowledges the high sick leave rates in municipalities and emphasizes that they are taking the issue “very seriously.” They attribute the trend to a general increase in sick leave across both public and private sectors since the COVID-19 pandemic. KL is working “purposefully” to limit overall sick leave.