SICK LEAVE

BELGIANS TAKE LOTS OF SICK LEAVE, AND WHY NOT, THEY'RE DEPRESSED

Belgians, like many Europeans, are entitled to extensive or even unlimited sick leave and they tend to stretch the definition of the word. Government employees have been known to call in sick in droves to pack before vacations and to sleep off holiday hangovers. Some government departments were averaging 35 days of paid sick leave per employee each year, more than most western countries.

Europe has long suffered from sick-day disease, and many European governments are trying to fix the problem.

Half of all Belgians on medical leave say they suffer from depression. The country has Western Europe's highest suicide rate.

Source: John W. Miller, "Belgians Take Lots of Sick Leave, And Why Not, They're Depressed," Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2009.

For text:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123145414405365887.html