‘The Absence Broker also helps us with prevention’

Area is a housing corporation with around 8,000 homes in the Uden-Veghel region. Their goal is to ensure that people can live well, in vibrant villages and pleasant neighborhoods. “Together we bring living to life” is their motto. The 85 employees of Area do their utmost every day to achieve this goal. In De Verzuimmakelaar, they have found a partner that helps them do this in the healthiest way possible.

Jan van Vucht, managing director of Area: “Management was not satisfied with the occupational health service at the time. The approach was too traditional and the level of engagement left much to be desired. We were looking for an organization that also pays attention to the preventive side: how do you prevent employees from becoming (long-term) ill? That is something very different from the usual ‘going through the motions’ once someone is already sick.”

Advantages
What was the deciding factor for Area in choosing De Verzuimmakelaar? “Many occupational health services have something of a bureaucratic feel, but that is very different with De Verzuimmakelaar. It’s a young team, absolutely not bureaucratic, and they really think along with you. Moreover, they are closely connected to 2de Spoor, an agency for reintegration and coaching, so it’s very easy to switch to other disciplines. This total package played an important role in our decision.”

Prevention
With the arrival of De Verzuimmakelaar, now two years ago, it’s not as if no one ever becomes long-term ill anymore. “It’s no guarantee, but that’s not possible anyway. What we appreciate is that they help us with a preventive approach. What are good topics for staff meetings, how do you have a conversation with someone who is at risk of becoming (long-term) ill, and how do you deal with someone for whom the work is becoming too heavy. We are very satisfied with the support we receive from De Verzuimmakelaar to do this in the legally correct way.”

Age-conscious personnel policy
At Area, they have actually put an age-conscious personnel policy into practice. “A good example: one of our technicians, who is about to retire, has many physical complaints, but was still going out on the road with the Area van. We offered him the opportunity to work less and to make use of our 60/80 scheme: 60% work, 80% salary. To relieve him physically and keep his knowledge within our organization, we also asked him to spend time developing new plans for training the younger generation. This way, this man will approach retirement fit. Together with Myrtille from De Verzuimmakelaar, we coordinated in advance how best to approach these conversations.”

Short lines of communication
At Area, they also find it important that there is a good connection. “We have one point of contact, Myrtille, a pleasant personality with whom communication is very direct. This works well not only for the managers and us as directors, but also for the employees. I can only say that De Verzuimmakelaar fulfills her role excellently!”

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