From high absenteeism to a culture of presence
The salad producer that cut short-term absence in half
Vidinge Grönt is one of Sweden’s leading producers of fresh salads and vegetables. Yet for years, the company struggled with short-term absenteeism well above the industry average. In the autumn of 2024, together with Avonova, they launched an ambitious initiative to turn the tide. Within just three months, short-term absence dropped from 7.5 to 3.5 percent.
Challenges at start
Behind the high absence rates lay a web of contributing factors. Many employees faced demanding lives outside of work, and taking short-term sick leave had, over time, become a way to cope with fatigue and balance the pressures of work and private life. Eventually, this pattern became normalized, making it difficult to break.
The solutions
Reversing the trend required more than new routines or stricter rules. It called for a cultural shift, one that strengthened the sense of shared responsibility. Through a comprehensive assessment and a series of health dialogues, Vidinge Grönt and Avonova created space for deeper conversations between management and employees. This opened the door to a range of initiatives that quickly made a difference.
Concrete actions included:
- Adapting information materials for employees with Swedish as a second language
- Adjusting schedules to improve work-life balance
- Increasing rotation between tasks, with robots taking over the most monotonous work
- Providing access to physiotherapists and ergonomic support
- Improving the physical work environment
Results in the short and long term
The results were immediate. In just three months, short-term absence fell from 7.5 to 3.5 percent, and the number of unpaid sick days was cut in half. But perhaps the most important outcome was cultural: a more open workplace climate, stronger dialogue between managers and employees, and a growing sense of collective responsibility.
Vidinge Grönt now stands as a clear example of how early, structured, and holistic efforts can deliver both measurable results and lasting impact. By combining care with expectations, and clarity with understanding, the company has not only reduced absenteeism but also laid the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable workplace culture.
