The sickness rate is an important index for companies as well as for regional health statistics. The article explains at the outset the different methods of calculation of the sickness rate and then presents some data examples. At 3.39 %, the sickness rate sank to a very low level in 2004. The highest sickness rates are found in transport companies, metallurgy and public administration, the lowest rates in the wholesale business and in credit and insurance companies. The sickness rate is mainly determined by long-term illnesses. Finally the article presents a short review of operational strategies for the reducing of absenteeism and pleads thereby for modern integrated strategies of occupational safety and health and methods of promoting health at the work place.
