Effect of working conditions on non-work-related sickness absence

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence of the role of working conditions as prognostic factors for non-work-related sickness absence (i.e. absence due to injuries or diseases of non-occupational origin). Aims: To analyse the association between working conditions and time to return to work (RTW) in workers with long-term (>15 days) non-work-related sickness absence. Methods: We followed up a total of 655 workers, who completed a baseline questionnaire including physical and psychosocial work factors, until their non-work-related long-term sickness absence ended. Time to RTWwas determined based on the health insurance company register. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to evaluate the associations between working conditions and time to RTW. Results: A self-perceived high level of physical activity at work and work with back twisted or bent were related to longer duration of sickness absence. We did not find any strong evidence of associations between psychosocial work factors and time to RTW, although higher job insecurity and low reward showed marginal statistical significance. Conclusions: Hazardous physical working conditions are associated with longer duration of non-work-related sickness absence. Workplace ergonomic interventions could conceivably shorten the length of sickness absence that has not originated at work. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved.