Absenteeism and sickness absence

Abstract

The majority of time lost from work as a result of absenteeism is classified as due to sickness although only a small proportion of the total can be regarded as a result of unfitness for work for medical reasons. An occupational health service assists a business in minimizing absenteeism by promoting an early return to work, assists general practitioners and hospital specialists in tailoring return to work packages, and assists employees by liaising with both management and their medical specialists to facilitate a return to normal work.