High Sickness Absence and the Role of the Occupational Physician

In her day-to-day work, Aukje Huurman, occupational physician at Capability, sees first-hand how significant the impact of sickness absence is on both employers and employees. Absence affects organisations, teams and individuals on a deeply personal level. In these conversations, the role of the occupational physician sometimes comes under discussion as well.

“There is a perception that occupational physicians tend to side mainly with employees and are quick to accept sickness absence,” Aukje says. “I understand where that view comes from, but it does not do justice to what our work actually looks like in practice.”

Careful and Objective Consideration

According to Aukje, this perception often arises because sickness absence is rarely straightforward. Many complaints cannot be neatly defined in purely medical terms. Work pressure, personal circumstances and individual resilience often overlap.

“In my work, I frequently encounter situations where complaints are difficult to objectively assess from a medical perspective,” she explains. “That calls for a broader view. Not just looking at medical symptoms, but also at what is preventing someone from functioning properly.” Taking that broader perspective can sometimes be interpreted as ‘going along with’ the situation, whereas in reality it is about weighing things up carefully and responsibly.

Objectivity at the Core of the Profession

For Aukje, the role of the occupational physician is clear. “We are there for both employers and employees. That balance is at the heart of the profession. Every situation requires a tailored approach. Sometimes it quickly becomes clear what someone needs in order to return to work; in other cases it takes more time and coordination. Objectivity means looking at what is going on without prejudice,” Aukje says. “And being honest about what is and is not possible, even when that is complex.”

Sickness Absence as a Moment in a Longer Process

What Aukje often sees in practice is that a sickness report is part of a longer process. “It is rarely an isolated event. When someone reports sick and there is no clear medical cause, there have usually been signals beforehand,” she explains. “At work, in their private life, or a combination of the two. The sickness report then marks the point at which things are no longer manageable. That makes absence complex and helps explain why conversations about it can sometimes be tense.”

Encouraging People to Reflect

A year ago, Aukje made a conscious decision to share her knowledge more actively. “I noticed there are many opinions about sickness absence and occupational physicians, while at the same time there is often a lack of understanding,” she says. “There is little room for explanation and nuance. By sharing my experiences, related themes and practical examples, I wanted to contribute something meaningful. My intention was, and still is, to encourage people to think and to open up the conversation.”

The Importance of Continuing to Share

Through her stories, Aukje hopes to contribute to greater understanding, nuance and openness. “To get the conversation going. In many cases, the moment employees report sick comes too late. That is why I continue to stress the importance of prevention. Having conversations earlier, recognising and taking signals seriously, and jointly exploring what is needed to prevent absence.”

That requires attention and action from both employers and employees. In 2026 as well, Aukje will continue to share her knowledge and perspective on sickness absence, vitality and related topics, with the same approach: committed, honest and focused on dialogue.