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Preventive Medical Examination (PMO): the way to avoid Sickness Absence and costs

Preventive Medical Examination (PMO): the way to avoid Sickness Absence and costs

Every business owner knows it: sick leave. It is always inconvenient and costs much more than you think. According to TNO, a sick employee costs an average of €450 per day in wage payment, replacement and loss of productivity. For an SME, that can add up to tens of thousands of euros annually.

Fortunately, there is much you can do to prevent Sickness Absence . A Preventive Medical Examination (PMO) is one of the most powerful tools for keeping a grip on your employees' health and employability. In this blog, we explain:

What is a PMO?

A PMO (Preventive Medical Examination) is a periodic health examination that you as an employer must offer according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Article 18. The goal is simple: identify complaints early before they lead to long-term Sickness Absence.

A PMO consists of:

  • Questionnaires on lifestyle, workload, stress and work-life balance
  • Measurements (digital or physical), such as blood pressure, BMI, eye test, lung function or heart rate variability
  • Personal advisory report for the employee

Important: A PMO is not a monitoring tool, but a way to give employees insight and direction over their own health.

Why a PMO is indispensable for entrepreneurs

1. Absenteeism costs are sky-high

  • The sick leave rate in the Netherlands in 2023 averaged 4.7% (CBS).
  • For a company with 20 employees, this means: one employee is sick full-time on average.
  • Cost: quickly €22,000 - €30,000 per year in continued pay, replacement and lost productivity.

A PMO costs an average of €100 - €200 per employee. So one prevented instance of absenteeism can completely recoup the investment.

2. Pick up signals early

Starting complaints such as back pain, stress or sleep problems are often ignored. A PMO makes this visible and provides tools to take immediate action.

3. Employees feel seen

In a tight job market, it is crucial to show that you care about your team. With a PMO, you're saying, "Your health is important to us."

This increases engagement and motivation. TNO research shows that employees who feel supported by their employer have up to 30% less absenteeism.

4. You comply with the law

Offering a PMO is required by law. Employees are not required to participate, but you as an employer must be able to demonstrate that you offer it. With ZekerArbo you arrange this hassle-free.

5. Strengthen sustainable employability

A PMO helps employees stay healthy, motivated and productive - now and in the future. This is how you build an organization that is sustainably employable.

Calculation example: the business case for a PMO

Suppose you have 25 employees.

  • Average Sickness Absence: 4.7% → 1.2 employees per year long-term sickness
  • Cost per employee per day: €250
  • Average length of absence: 8 days

Cost per year: 1.2 x 8 x € 250 = € 2,400
Including replacement and loss of productivity: € 4,000 - € 5,000

A PMO for 25 employees costs €2,500 - €5,000.
With one prevented case of absenteeism, you have already recouped the investment.

How does a PMO at ZekerArbo work?

We make the PMO not a checkmark for the law, but a flywheel for healthy teams.

1. Customization from the start

We tailor the PMO to your organization and sector. No standard questionnaires, but relevant insights that fit your practice.

2. Clear communication

We make sure that employees understand what a PMO is, why it is important and what it can do for them. This increases participation and support.

3. Professional guidance

  • Employees receive a personal advisory report
  • You get an AVG-proof group report with trends and recommendations
  • So you know exactly where improvement opportunities lie

4. Carefree organizing

From planning to follow-up: ZekerArbo takes care of everything. All you have to do is say: do it.

Frequently asked questions about the PMO

Is a PMO mandatory?

Yes, you must offer it according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Employees may refuse participation, but you must make it available.

How often should a PMO take place?

On average, once every 2-3 years. In sectors with higher risks, more often may be necessary.

What about privacy?

Employees get their personal advisory report. You get only anonymized group insights. Everything is fully AVG-proof.

Is it also relevant to small businesses?

Especially for SME entrepreneurs! One long-term sick employee has an immediate impact there.

Conclusion: a PMO is a win for everyone

A Preventive Medical Exam is much more than a mandatory number: it is a smart investment in health, motivation and productivity.

With ZekerArbo:

  • save you high absenteeism costs
  • do you comply with the law
  • Give your employees control over their health
  • work on sustainable employability

And the best part? We arrange everything for you, hassle-free.

Want to know more or get started right away?

View our service page on PMO

Also discover: Risk Inventory & Evaluation (RI&E), Workshops & Training and our Sustainable Employability Protocol

Or go directly to our contact page and find out how to get started today

Tip: Don't see a PMO as a cost, but as a savings. One prevented day of absenteeism can save you hundreds of dollars.

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