economy
May 8, 2026
Work absenteeism already costs Colombian companies almost 10 days per worker per year
More than half of work absences are reportedly related to avoidable infections. Photo: iStock
TL;DR
- Absenteeism due to common illnesses costs Colombian companies 9.4 days per worker annually, with 5.8 days attributed to preventable infections like respiratory illnesses.
- Preventable diseases incur direct costs of approximately $860,000 per company annually, in addition to reduced productivity and efficiency.
- Presenteeism, where sick employees work, reduces performance and increases contagion risk.
- Hand hygiene is identified as a crucial tool for prevention, risk management, and a driver of competitiveness and operational resilience.
- Strengthening hygiene protocols can lead to measurable impacts on productivity and a reduction in respiratory diseases, with pilot studies showing 20-30% decreases.
- The OECD estimates returns of up to US$24.6 for every dollar invested in sanitation prevention programs.
- Companies are implementing structural health prevention models, including hygiene stations and contactless dispensers, to reduce pathogen transmission.
- Hygiene is now viewed as a strategic factor for competitiveness, moving beyond a solely sanitary concern to one that enhances efficiency and builds trust.