The SAŠA Development Agency, which operates the SAŠA Centre for Just Transition, is organising a workshop on absenteeism entitled “Employee Health – the Foundation for a Successful Future for the SAŠA Region“, which is intended for management and human resources departments of companies.
- Tuesday, 18 November 2025, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Gaudeamus building, 1st floor, Trg mladosti 7, Velenje
In recent years, companies in the SAŠA region have been facing a significant increase in sick leave and, increasingly, challenges related to the mental health of employees, work motivation, and returning to work after long absences.
At the workshop, we will build on the findings of the round table discussion “Work Attendance in the SAŠA Region – How to Address Rising Absenteeism,” which was held on 11 November 2025 in Velenje and focused on finding concrete, feasible, and measurable solutions to prevent absenteeism, improve work-life balance, and strengthen the culture of health in companies.
The aim of the workshop is to deepen the discussion and develop concrete, feasible, and measurable measures that will contribute to:
- reducing sick leave and abuse of the system,
- understanding the causes of presenteeism,
- helping companies establish a balance between work and private life,
- recognising employees’ needs for a healthy working environment,
- developing a culture of health, trust and responsibility in companies,
- promoting examples of good practice and cooperation between stakeholders.
PROGRAMME
1. Introduction (10:00-10:10) – Welcome and purpose of the workshop
Rok Plankelj, Director of the Savinjska-Šaleška Chamber of Commerce and Industry, moderator
Brief overview of key findings from the round table
2. Professional framework (10:10–10:40) – Short contributions and examples of good practices
- “Prevention and early risk identification – how to reduce absenteeism with a healthy working environment”
Representative of the medical profession, Velenje Health Centre
- “Health culture and the role of managers – how to build trust and presence in a team”
Aljaž Sečnjak, Head of HR Business Partners for the Adriatic East region, BSH
- “Abuse of sick leave – between the right to supervision and respect for privacy”
Dušan Poslek, detective, member of the Detective Chamber of the Republic of Slovenia
- “Legal aspects of employee return and employer responsibility – practical challenges”
Žiga Cvetko, Master of Law, lawyer at the Feguš Law Firm
3. Interactive group work (10:40–11:35)
- Prevention and presenteeism – how can we prevent absenteeism before it occurs?
- Health culture and work-life balance (relationships, motivation, organisational culture and the role of managers).
- Abuse of sick leave and supervision – why does abuse occur and how can it be legally controlled?
- Legal and systemic aspects of employee return – procedures, documentation, and cooperation between institutions.
4. Conclusion and summary (11:50–12:00)
- Summary of key measures and agreement on the preparation of recommendations for companies in the SAŠA region.
The event will be organised by Invel d.o.o., with the cooperation of the Savinjska-Šaleška Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.