Addressing long-term sickness absence: moving beyond disease, illness and work-related factors for
                    effective prevention

Abstract Background An indicated prevention strategy (IPS), consisting of a screening questionnaire and early treatment, was found to be effective for the prevention of future long-term sickness absence (LTSA) in two large Dutch RCT’s. This IPS aims to detect employees who have a high risk to become absent, and subsequently offer them early treatment. Despite the overall effectiveness, only a few companies have implemented this strategy so far. This suggests that companies may not be convinced of the (cost) effectiveness of this strategy yet. In companies where IPS has been implemented, screenings uptake and adherence to early treatment appeared to be moderate, indicating that both employees and employers might perceive barriers. Methods The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the expected and perceived facilitators and barriers for the implementation of the IPS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 employers and 11 employees (acquainted and unacquainted with IPS) from large companies. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results The employers believed they were primarily responsible for psychological and work-related health complaints and SA, while the employees felt responsible for health complaints related to their lifestyle. According to the employees, the responsibility of the employer was solely related to work-related health. This finding exposed a relation with the health culture, which was solely based on creating a safe work environment, omitting psychological health issues. The efficacy of this IPS regarding reducing SA was estimated positive, however, the efficacy regarding LTSA was questioned. Fear of a privacy breach was often mentioned by the respondents as an important barrier. Conclusions This study showed that the health culture within a company may be important for the perceived responsibility towards SA and health. A health culture which primarily focuses on physical complaints may raise barriers for the adoption and implementation of this preventive strategy. Participant’ perceptions of the nature of LTSA and the fact that not all participants were familiar with the exact content and phasing of IPS may have doubted the efficacy regarding LTSA. This study provides important clues for future and improved implementation of IPS.

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Work-Related Exposures and Sickness Absence Trajectories: A Nationally Representative Follow-up Study among Finnish Working-Aged People

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16122099 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 2099 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tea Lallukka ◽

Leena Kaila-Kangas ◽

Minna Mänty ◽

Seppo Koskinen ◽

Eija Haukka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickness Absence ◽

Developmental Trajectories ◽

Physical Workload ◽

Physical Work ◽

Annual Number ◽

Related Factors ◽

Aged People ◽

Work Related ◽

Nationally Representative

The contribution of physically demanding work to the developmental trajectories of sickness absence (SA) has seldom been examined. We analyzed the associations of 12 physical work exposures, individually and in combination, with SA trajectories among the occupationally active in the Finnish nationally representative Health 2000 survey. We included 3814 participants aged 30–59 years at baseline, when exposure history to work-related factors was reported. The survey and interview responses were linked with the annual number of medically confirmed SA spells through 2002–2008 from national registries. Trajectory analyses identified three SA subgroups: 1 = low (54.6%), 2 = slowly increasing (33.7%), and 3 = high (11.7%). After adjustments, sitting or use of keyboard >1 year was inversely associated with the high SA trajectory (odds ratio, OR, 0.57; 95% 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.43–0.77). The odds of belonging to the trajectory of high SA increased with an increasing number of risk factors, and was highest for those with ≥4 physical workload factors (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.99–3.69). In conclusion, these findings highlight the need to find ways to better maintain the work ability of those in physically loading work, particularly when there occurs exposure to several workload factors.

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Sleep disturbance and work-related mental strain: A national prospective cohort study of the prediction of subsequent long-term sickness absence, disability pension and mortality

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494820911813 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (8) ◽

pp. 888-895

Author(s):

Torbjörn Åkerstedt ◽

Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz ◽

Syed Rahman

Keyword(s):

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Work Disability ◽

Disability Pension ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Workplace Stress ◽

Mental Strain ◽

Work Related ◽

Synergy Effects

Aims: Sleep disturbances and work-related mental strain are linked to increased sickness absence and disability pension (DP), but we have no information on synergy effects. The aim of this study was to examine the combined (and separate) association of the two predictors with subsequent long-term work disability and mortality. Methods: A total of 45,498 participants aged 16–64 years were interviewed in the Swedish Surveys of Living Conditions between 1997 and 2013, and were followed up on long-term sickness absence (LTSA; >90 days/year), DP and mortality via national registers until 2016. Crude and multivariable Cox analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: For LTSA, the HRs for sleep disturbances and work-related mental strain were 1.6 (95% CI 1.5–1.7) and 1.3 (95% CI 1.2–1.4), respectively. For DP, the HRs were 2.0 (95% CI 1.8–2.2) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.5). Mortality was only predicted by sleep disturbances (HR=1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4). No synergy effect was seen. Conclusions: Work-related mental strain and, in particular, sleep disturbances were associated with a higher risk of subsequent LTSA and DP, but without synergy effects. Sleep disturbances were also associated with mortality. Exposure to interventions tackling sleep disturbance and prevention of workplace stress may reduce work disability.

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Perceived gender discrimination at work and subsequent long-term sickness absence among Finnish employed women

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz156 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 311-316

Author(s):

Marjut Pietiläinen ◽

Jouko Nätti ◽

Satu Ojala

Keyword(s):

Sickness Absence ◽

Gender Discrimination ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Well Being ◽

Related Factors ◽

Employed Women ◽

Health Related ◽

Gender Based ◽

Rate Ratios

Abstract Background Discrimination has many kinds of consequences for employees and their well-being. This is an important aspect when considering certain issues, such as the need to prolong working careers. The objective of this study is to investigate the association of perceived gender discrimination at work with subsequent long-term sickness absence among Finnish employed women. Methods We used a representative sample of Finnish employed women (n = 8000) merged with register-based follow-up data. We examined the relationships of control variables with gender discrimination using cross tabulation, and the relationships of the controls with subsequent sickness absences were examined using analyses of variance. The effects of gender discrimination on long-term sickness absence were analysed using a negative binomial model. Results Perceived gender discrimination increased long-term sickness absence among employed women after controlling for age discrimination, various background, work and health-related factors. Employed women reporting perceived gender discrimination had a 1.4-times higher incidence rate ratios (IRR) of long-term sickness absence than those not reporting perceived gender discrimination. The association was strongest among upper-level socioeconomic group (IRR 2.2) in the adjusted model. Conclusions Our findings suggest that gender discrimination at work is a risk factor for long sickness absence among women. Therefore, it is essential to increase awareness and prevention of discrimination to reduce negative gender-based treatment at work.

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Aanvragen van zorgverlof

Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken ◽

10.5117/2015.031.004.452 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Zoltán Lippényi ◽

Tanja van der Lippe

Keyword(s):

Organizational Design ◽

Labor Demand ◽

Organizational Factors ◽

Related Factors ◽

Term Care ◽

Cultural Planning ◽

Employee Representation ◽

Work Related ◽

Works Council

Care leave applications in Dutch workplaces Care leave applications in Dutch workplaces A substantial number of people combine work and care in the Netherlands and Dutch law entitles employees to take short-term and long-term care leave if necessary. Although most employers are willing to honor care leave requests, workers make only limited use of this possibility. There is relatively little known in the literature about how organizational and work-related factors influence applying for care leave within organizations. To answer this question, we use the Labor Demand Panel [Arbeidsvraagpanel] 2011 by the Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Office [SCP]. Multiple regression analyses show that at the level of work autonomy and part-time work at the organization substitute the need for care leave. Care-friendly organizational culture and employee representation facilitate applying for care-leave, while possible barriers for applications (such as high workload and economic problems within the organization) have little impact on applying for care leave. Applying for long-term leave is scantly influenced by organizational factors, although having a works council facilitates applying for this leave option as well. We conclude emphasizing the importance of self-organization and care-friendly organizational design for informal caretakers.

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Socio-demographic and work-related risk factors for medium- and long-term sickness absence among Italian workers

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckr140 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 683-688 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

A. d'Errico ◽

G. Costa

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Work Related ◽

Related Risk

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Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health among the General Public: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study in China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168790 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8790

Author(s):

Le Shi ◽

Zheng-An Lu ◽

Jian-Yu Que ◽

Xiao-Lin Huang ◽

Qing-Dong Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Public ◽

Severity Index ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Related Factors ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Health Symptoms ◽

Work Related ◽

Mental Problems

COVID-19 might have long-term mental health impacts. We aim to investigate the longitudinal changes in mental problems from initial COVID-19 peak to its aftermath among general public in China. Depression, anxiety and insomnia were assessed among a large-sample nationwide cohort of 10,492 adults during the initial COVID-19 peak (28 February 2020 to 11 March 2020) and its aftermath (8 July 2020 to 8 August 2020) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Insomnia Severity Index. We used generalized estimating equations and linear mixed models to explore factors associated with long-term mental health symptoms during COVID-19. During the five months, mental health symptoms remained consistently elevated (baseline 46.4%; follow-up 45.1%). Long-term depression, anxiety and insomnia were associated with several personal and work-related factors including quarantine (adjusted OR for any mental health symptoms 1.31, 95%CI 1.22–1.41, p < 0.001), increases in work burden after resuming work (1.77, 1.65–1.90, p < 0.001), occupational exposure risk to COVID-19 (1.26, 1.14–1.40, p < 0.001) and living in places severely affected by initial COVID-19 peak (1.21, 1.04–1.41, p = 0.01) or by a COVID-19 resurgence (1.38, 1.26–1.50, p < 0.001). Compliance with self-protection measures, such as wearing face masks (0.74, 0.61–0.90, p = 0.003), was associated with lower long-term risk of mental problems. The findings reveal a pronounced and prolonged mental health burden from the initial COVID-19 peak through to its aftermath in China. We should regularly monitor the mental health status of vulnerable populations throughout COVID-19.

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Screening of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Upper Limb Disorders Using the SALTSA Protocol: A Work-Site Study in Belgium

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/21650799211019432 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 216507992110194

Author(s):

Lieve Van Dyck ◽

Monique Baecke ◽

Marie Grosjean ◽

Habyalimana Isaie ◽

Yannick Gregoire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Related Factors ◽

Work Site ◽

Work Related ◽

Health Physician ◽

Assembly Unit ◽

Diagnostic Criterion ◽

A Company

Background: Long-term absenteeism continues to rise in Belgium and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been considered a primary cause. However, there is still uncertainty about the prevalence of MSDs, and about the contribution of work-related factors in the etiology of MSDs. SALTSA, which was developed in 2001, is a European diagnostic criterion document that aims to standardize the reporting of work-related upper limb MSDs (ULMSDs). The purpose of this work-site study was to implement SALTSA in daily occupational health practice and to determine the prevalence of ULMSDs in a Belgian company. Methods: During health examinations, occupational health nurses and an occupational health physician screened employees in a company with ergonomically high-risk activities for the occurrence of ULMSDs using the SALTSA protocol. In order to explore associations between ULMSDs and lifestyle and work-related factors, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Findings: Three hundred and eight (94.0%, 308/328) employees were screened resulting in an ULMSD prevalence of 20.5% (95% CI = [16.0–25.3]). Rotator cuff syndrome was the most common condition. Prevalence varied significantly between men (9.6%, 95% CI = [5.6–14.9]) and women (35.0%, 95% CI = [26.9–43.9]). Being female ( p < .001) and working in the cabling assembly unit ( p = .002) were found to be significant predictors of ULMSDs. Conclusion/Application to Practice: By using the SALTSA protocol in occupational health practices, ULMSDs can be screened unequivocally, enabling comparisons between different occupational sectors and countries. Occupational health nurses can play an important role in detecting and screening MSDs among workers.

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