How are work-related characteristics linked to sickness absence and presenteeism? Theory and Data

Arbeitspapier

This paper investigates how changes in work-related factors affect workers' absence and presenteeism behavior. Previous studies (implicitly) assume that there is a substitutive relationship, i.e. a change in a work-related factor decreases the level of absence and simultaneously increases presenteeism (or vice versa). We set up a theoretical model in which work-related characteristics not only affect a worker's absence decision but also the individual-specific sickness definition. Since workrelated factors affect presenteeism through these two channels, nonsubstitutive relationships between absence and presenteeism are also conceivable. Using European cross-sectional data, we find only few substitutive and complementary relationships, while the bulk of the work-related characteristics is related only to one of the two sickness states.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IAAEU Discussion Paper Series in Economics ; No. 11/2015

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Time Allocation and Labor Supply ; Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy ; Personnel Economics: General
• Subject: sickness absence ; presenteeism ; annual duration ; workrelated characteristics ; health at work

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Arnold, Daniel ; De Pinto, Marco
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Trier, Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU)
• (where): Trier
• (when): 2015

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/121352
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET