Denmark: young people take more sick leaves than seniors

In the private and public sectors, 20-30 year-olds take the most sick leaves.  The record is for communal employees, where 25-29 year-olds took 14.4 sick days in 2010 as opposed to 10.7 for seniors (i.e. 35 percent more).  Their attitude towards sick leaves isn’t the same either: the first are more likely to stay home with a simple cold while the latter will go to work.  More affected by wearing out, seniors take fewer yet longer leaves.  Young people leave more often but for shorter periods.  For instance, 25-29 year-olds in the private sector have an average of 3.4 days, as opposed to 5.3 for 55-59 year-olds. 
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Their attitude towards sick leaves isn’t the same either: the first are more likely to stay home with a simple cold while the latter will go to work. More affected by wearing out, seniors take fewer yet longer leaves. Young people leave more often but for shorter periods. For instance, 25-29 year-olds in the private sector have an average of 3.4 days, as opposed to 5.3 for 55-59 year-olds.

The ‘shock’ of work. Palle Larsen, in charge of labor market policy for the 3F union, told the newsp

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