More women take time off work because of stress-related health problems than men because too little attention is being paid to their workload at home and at work, health and safety organisations ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare have said.

Stress-related absenteeism has been on the rise for years, with a 43% increase since 2021.  On average, stress is causing women to stay off work for twice as many days as men, particularly those in the 25 to 45 age group.

According to psychologist Lianne Hulsbosch, the figures are not surprising. “This is the period in which women have children and then life changes radically. Some hit a brick wall and are afraid to ask for help,” she told NU.nl.

“Women are taking on so many tasks,” HumanCapitalCare medical director Iris Homeijer told the news channel. “They have upped their working hours and are not doing less at home.”

Homeijer says women’s health in the workplace is a “blind spot” and that health problems caused by mental overload and hormonal changes go unrecognised or are under-reported.

“There needs to be more space for a discussion about mental and physical capacity, expectations and a fair division of care tasks at the kitchen table as well as in the office,” she said.