Long-term absence takes a serious toll on your organisation. And it goes far beyond payroll costs. Think: falling productivity, difficulty replacing staff in a tight labour market (with an average replacement cost of 6 to 9 months’ salary), and mounting pressure on remaining team members—risking a domino effect of additional absences. At the same time, the Belgian government is putting increasing pressure on companies to take action on reintegration and prevention. Employees are also increasingly drawn to companies that prioritise well-being. Those who take the lead today are better prepared for tomorrow. The numbers speak for themselves: companies that invest in well-being also see stronger economic performance.
In short, long-term absence costs you money, time and people. Many employers only act when it’s too late—even though the solutions are within reach.
Why acting early pays off
Long-term absence rarely comes out of nowhere. It usually begins with warning signs—such as frequent short absences or declining performance. By spotting and responding to short-term issues early, you can prevent them from escalating.
At the same time, mental well-being is becoming a top priority for employees. More and more people value mental health over salary. In fact, 70% see it as a decisive factor when choosing an employer.
A proactive approach to mental resilience pays off twice: you reduce the risk of long-term absence and boost your reputation as an attractive employer. And it doesn’t need to be complicated. There are practical, easy-to-use tools available right now.
Included into your pension and/or health plans with AG: My Mind by AG – a mental well-being solution that really works:
- Personalised tips and coaching programmes to build resilience
- Safe2Talk helpline offering 24/7 mental, legal, and financial advice
- Access to articles and information about mental well-being
- Available anytime, anywhere via the MyAG Employee Benefits app
Our data shows that 75% of employees offered this support actively engage with it. That’s real, immediate help—boosting motivation, resilience and reducing absence.
And if absence does happen? Focus on smart reintegration
Over 500,000 people in Belgium are currently on long-term sick leave. Over a third suffer from psychological conditions like burnout or depression. What’s more, 44% of Belgian workers regularly experience stress or anxiety. Younger generations are particularly vulnerable—and they now represent a third of the Belgian workforce.
You can’t eliminate absence entirely. But how you respond makes all the difference. Especially how quickly you involve someone in a reintegration process.
Return to Work: 70% back to work within an average of 4.5 months
Included in your income protection insurance from AG, the Return to Work programme helps employees with psychological conditions return to work up to three times faster. You’ll have access to one of five professional, independent partners.
The results speak for themselves:
- 70% of the participants are back to part-time work after 4.5 months and back to full-time work after 6 months
- 80% return to their original employer
- 90% remain at work for at least 6 months following the programme
2 in 3 employees overestimate their statutory sick pay.
Financial security during sick leave isn’t guaranteed
Many employees assume they’ll be financially secure during sick leave—but that’s often not the case. In Belgium, the employer covers full salary for the first month. After that, sick pay from the mutuality kicks in—usually about 60% of gross salary, capped by law.
Our benchmark data shows that two-thirds of employees overestimate this benefit. Meanwhile, fixed costs like housing, childcare and utilities continue. Without income protection, many families face financial strain—especially those with higher salaries.
90% want protection – but only 1 in 5 are covered
According to our study, more than 90% of employees say income protection is important, but fewer than 1 in 5 actually have it. With AG’s income protection insurance, employees receive a monthly supplementary benefit on top of their statutory sick pay - helping them maintain their income, protect their lifestyle, and stay loyal to your company. It’s a clear sign that you value their well-being and security.
Why include the waiver of premiums?
What happens to pension savings when an employee goes on long-term sick leave? Without protection, they simply stop. That’s a double blow: no income and no pension growth.
The waiver of premiums takes care of that. During long-term absence, AG takes over contributions to the supplementary pension—and any additional cover like life insurance—so employees don’t lose out.
Our benchmark shows more and more companies are adding this to their plans. It’s a quiet, but powerful part of any serious well-being strategy.
The power of a complete approach
Income protection is a strong foundation. But companies that combine it with prevention and reintegration get the best results:
- Up to 12% more productivity
- Up to 43% less staff turnover
- 125% fewer burnouts
- +10% higher customer satisfaction and loyalty
Choose a forward-looking strategy that protects well-being , ensures continuity, and builds loyalty—for your people and your business. An AG adviser can help you design the right plan.
How does your company compare?
Curious how your benefits stack up against others in your sector? Request our benchmark whitepaper and receive:
- Concrete insights
- Practical recommendations
- Industry comparisons
Find out where you stand—and where you can gain.
Listen & learn: your practical guide in podcast form
What are the biggest blind spots employers face? What mistakes are most common? And how do you get it right?
In our podcast, Sven Desmytter, Head of Sales at AG, explains how to use income protection strategically. With clear examples and real-life comparisons—no jargon, just practical tips.
This podcast is only available in Dutch.
Questions?
To find out more about our offers and how we can help you protect your employees, feel free to contact us.