The Association of Corporate Work Environment Factors, Health Risks, and Medical Conditions with Presenteeism among Australian Employees

Exploring presenteeism trends: a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis

Objective

This research will conduct a bibliometric and content analysis of presenteeism from 2000 to 2023. It aims to investigate publication trends, authorship patterns, and significant publications by using presenteeism conceptualizations, measurements, determinants, consequences, and interventions analysis. The study provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers about understanding and addressing workplace presenteeism issues.

Methods

The research involved conducting a bibliometric study to analyze presenteeism publication trends, authorship patterns, and significant publications. It also explored the evolution of presenteeism research over time, identifying contributing countries, institutions, and writers. The interdisciplinary nature of presenteeism research was emphasized, covering occupational health, psychology, management, and public health. The researchers have used VOS Viewer and R Studio (biblioshiny) for this study.

Results

The study identified several elements influencing presenteeism, such as health issues, work-related factors, organizational culture, and individual characteristics. It further examined the impact of organizational policies, leadership support, employee assistance programs, and health promotion activities in reducing absenteeism and enhancing employee well-being. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these factors to mitigate presenteeism issues and promote a healthier work environment.

Conclusion

This research identified deficiencies in presenteeism research and provided recommendations for future investigations in this field. It emphasized the need for standardized measures and methodologies, longitudinal studies to understand causality, and industry- and population-specific interventions. These insights can guide future research directions and interventions to address presenteeism issues in a rapidly changing work and research landscape.

Investigating Associations Between Physical Activity and Presenteeism - A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to scope the literature on what is currently known between physical activity and presenteeism.

DATA SOURCE

A search strategy was conducting in six scientific databases.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism were considered for inclusion.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data on definitions and measurement of presenteeism and physical activity were extracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The data is categorized according to the understanding of presenteeism of the studies to give a better idea of how this phenomenon is studied in relation to physical activity.

RESULTS

After screening 9773 titles and abstracts and 269 full-text articles, 57 unique articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. The majority of the articles were published since 2010 and originated predominantly in the United States. Most studies (70%) define presenteeism as lost productivity due to health problems, according to the American line of research, whereas 19% of the studies define it as "working while ill" which refers to the European line of research. The studies that reflected the American school of thought tends to report more results that supported their hypothesis (i.e., that more physical activity is associated with less presenteeism).

CONCLUSION

This review has highlighted the homogeneity in how presenteeism is conceptualized and measured in studies included in our sample. Research on physical activity and presenteeism should be expanded across various disciplines in social sciences to respond to the needs that many researchers have expressed to promote healthier organizations.

Emergency medical service personnel' post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological detachment: The mediating role of presenteeism

Background

Emergency medical service personnel are subjected to various stressors, which makes them more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Studies have shown that psychological detachment and presenteeism play a role at the level of post-traumatic stress disorder. There is no study to examine the relationship between psychological detachment, presenteeism, and post-traumatic stress disorder among emergency medical service personnel.

Objective

The main objective of the study is to investigate the effects of presenteeism in explaining the relationship between psychological detachment and post-traumatic stress disorder among emergency medical service personnel.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 836 emergency medical service personnel in 51 counties and cities in Hunan Province, China.

Methods

They were anonymously investigated by using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Stanford Presenteeism scale-6 (SPS-6), and the Psychological Detachment Scale. Statistic description, univariate analysis, pearson correlation, and structural equation model were adopted to analyze the data.

Results

The mean score of IES-R, SPS-6, and the psychological detachment scale were 22.44 ± 16.70, 15.13 ± 4.20, and 11.30 ± 4.24. Post-traumatic stress disorder was positively relevant with presenteeism (r = 0.381, p< 0.01), but negatively correlated with psychological detachment (r = -0.220, p < 0.01). And presenteeism partially mediated the association between psychological detachment and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

The results show a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in EMS personnel, presenteeism can statistically significantly predict post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. If hospital management can reduce the presenteeism of emergency medical service personnel, this will help them reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Association of low back pain and sleep quality with presenteeism

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) and poor subjective sleep quality (SSQ) are major risk factors for presenteeism. However, no studies have investigated whether combined LBP and poor SSQ are associated with presenteeism.

AIMS

We aimed to examine whether a combination of LBP and poor SSQ is associated with presenteeism.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 936 workers (median age, 38 years; men, 89%), with evaluated presenteeism using the work limitations questionnaire. We divided them into 'no presenteeism' and 'presenteeism' categories. The presence of LBP was defined as a numerical rating scale (NRS) score of ≥1 in current pain intensity. SSQ was assessed using a single question regarding whether the participants typically got enough sleep. We categorized the participants into four groups: (i) LBP + poor SSQ, (ii) non-LBP + poor SSQ, (iii) LBP + good SSQ and (iv) non-LBP + good SSQ. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between presenteeism and the presence of LBP and poor SSQ, adjusting for age, sex, work type, education, marital status, smoking status, body mass index and weekly working hours.

RESULTS

The data from 533 participants were used for analysis (median age, 38 years; men, 90%, response rate, 66%). Combined LBP and poor SSQ were significantly associated with presenteeism (non-LBP + poor SSQ: adjusted odds ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.96; LBP + good SSQ: 0.33, 0.20-0.56; non-LBP + good SSQ: 0.29, 0.18-0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating both LBP and SSQ may be beneficial in considering presenteeism.

Presenteeism and Productivity Loss Among Nurses

Objectives. Presenteeism is a significant problem among the working force and nurse is not an exception from these phenomena. The purpose of the study was to determine the productivity loss due to presenteeism from three dimensions and to evaluates the associated factors among nurses. Methods. A cross sectional study was conducted among 309 nurses to evaluate presenteeism using Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS), Health Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) and Work Productivity Short Inventory (WPSI). Results. The study found that nurses had a high level of presenteeism through using SPS (21.0 ± 4.3) and HPQ (80.0 ± 18.2). In Both scales, presenteeism was significantly associated with nurses who were older than 32 years, with an experience of more than 10 years, having children, and having two children. The results of WPSI showed that the productivity loss of presenteeism per nurse annually was 1,959 USD and for all nurses 605,283 USD. Conclusion. Eventually, evaluating the presenteeism level will help policymakers to understand the working conditions and related personal characteristics.

Associations between physical work environment, workplace support for health, and presenteeism: a COVID-19 context

Objective

Presenteeism has, in a larger sense, been viewed as a negative behaviour, although a limited body of studies suggests and reports its positive implications in an organizational context. This study assessed the association between the physical work environment (PWE) and presenteeism as well as the moderating influence of workplace support for health (WSH) on this relationship.

Methods

This study adopted the cross-sectional design alongside a sensitivity analysis and techniques against common methods bias. The study population was employees of private and public organizations in Accra, Ghana. A total of 590 employees participated in the study and hierarchical linear regression was used to present the results.

Results

PWE had a positive relationship with presenteeism (β = 0.15; t = 3.04; p < 0.05), which means that higher presenteeism was associated with larger PWE scores. WSH positively moderated the relationship between PWE and presenteeism (β = 0.23; t = 4.84; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Organizations with more satisfactory work environments may serve as preferred protective places for employees during a pandemic, more so within organizations with higher WSH. Interventions rolled out to improve PWE and to provide WSH can attenuate the potential negative influences of presenteeism on individual health and organizational productivity.

The Prospective Association Between Physical Activity, Insomnia Symptoms and Productivity in an Australian Population-based Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the joint, prospective associations of physical inactivity and insomnia symptoms and productivity using the 2013 and 2014 Household Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey panel data.

METHODS

The association between i) presenteeism (yes/no, n=5864) and ii) absenteeism (sick leave days, n = 4324) and the mutually exclusive groups "active without insomnia", "active with insomnia", "inactive without insomnia" and "inactive with insomnia" was assessed.

RESULTS

Participants "active with insomnia" or "inactive with insomnia" had greater odds of presenteeism than those "active without insomnia" (OR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.07-1.85 and OR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.14-1.83 respectively). Participants "inactive with insomnia" had a greater incidence of absenteeism than participants "active without insomnia" (IRR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.07-1.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest improving physical activity levels and insomnia symptoms concurrently may improve productivity by reducing presenteeism and sick leave.

Investigating associations between physical activity and presenteeism: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Considering that physical activity plays a key role in the health of workers, a growing number of researchers are studying its relationship with various workplace outcomes, such as presenteeism. Numerous scientists recognise the relevance of further studying this relationship in order to improve our understanding of it. However, studies about the association between physical activity and presenteeism show some discrepancy in the results obtained. Disparity in the way of measuring presenteeism makes it even more challenging to compare results. In addition, it remains difficult to determine the optimal frequency, intensity, duration and type of physical activity to increase the productivity benefits of physical activity. In light of these issues, clarification through a scoping review of the literature on the subject is warranted.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

A search strategy will be conducted in six scientific databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ABI Inform Global, Web of Science and Business Source Premier. A screening process by two independent reviewers will lead to study selection. Quantitative and qualitative studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism will be considered for inclusion. Data on the definition and measurement of presenteeism as well as the measurement of physical activity will be extracted. Additional data will be extracted to provide a descriptive overview of studies that have examined the relationship between presenteeism and physical activity.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As this study will be based only on published studies, ethics approval is not required. Through the manner in which the included studies will be presented (categorised by their approach to presenteeism), this scoping review has the potential to improve our understanding of some of the inconsistencies observed in the literature. This review can also identify gaps in the existing evidence base and lead to new avenues of research.

Occupational Health Inequalities by Issues on Gender and Social Class in Labor Market: Absenteeism and Presenteeism Across 26 OECD Countries

Background: This study aimed to examine the health disparities among working populations of 26 OECD countries through absenteeism and presenteeism, and to explain the combined effects of gender, work-life imbalance, occupational class, and labor market gender inequality factors on the occurrence of them.

Methods: We investigated nested data on 30,131 wage workers across 26 OECD countries. At the country level, macro indicators representing labor market gender inequality were collected from OECD database. Multi-level logistic analysis was used to analyze the main and interacting effects of explanatory variables on absenteeism and presenteeism.

Results: This study revealed a negative relationship between gender inequalities in the labor market and the incidence of absenteeism and presenteeism. After controlling for relevant individual- and country-level factors, the gender wage gap was associated with a decrease in absenteeism and presenteeism but the gender gap in the employment rate had a similar effect only on presenteeism. In addition, these country-level factors worked differently for the risk of absenteeism and presenteeism among groups of workers by gender, level of work-life imbalance, employment condition, and occupational class.

Conclusion: Workers in societies with separate gender roles and structural inequalities in the labor market reported lower levels of absenteeism and presenteeism, which was explained by an association between the double burden of work and family life and occupational health. In other respects, however, gender egalitarian policies may play an essential role in preventing health disadvantages for unfavorable working groups of women, non-permanent contract and manual job.

Perceived stress and sickness absence: a prospective study of 17,795 employees in Denmark

Objectives

The aims were to examine (1) the prospective association between perceived stress and sickness absence, and if this association (2) differed by sex, and (3) was stronger when only long-term sickness absence (≥ 31 days) instead of all-length sickness absence (≥ 1 day) was included. Moreover, different cut-points for the length of the sickness absence periods were applied.

Methods

We followed respondents (10,634 women and 7161 men) from the ‘Work Environment and Health in Denmark’ 2014-survey for up to 18 months in the ‘Register of Work Absences’ from Statistics Denmark. Perceived stress was measured by a single question: “In the last 2 weeks, how often have you felt stressed?” We used Cox-regression with repeated events, adjusted for age, sector, education, and previous sickness absence.

Results

The hazard ratio (HR) for all-length sickness absence (≥ 1 day) for “Often/Always” stress compared to “Seldom/Never” stress was statistically significant among both men (HR = 1.25 [1.13–1.38]) and women (HR = 1.43 [1.34–1.51]). The HR was statistically significant for women (HR = 2.26 [1.89–2.70]), but not for men (HR = 1.22 [0.86–1.73]), when the analyses were restricted to long-term sickness absence (≥ 31 days). The sex-difference was statistically significant. Additional analyses with cut-points at ≥ 2, ≥ 4, ≥ 6, ≥ 8, ≥ 11, ≥ 15, ≥ 20, and ≥ 25 sickness absence days showed that among women, the HR increased gradually with increasing lengths of the sickness absence periods.

Conclusions

The prospective association of perceived stress with risk of sickness absence was stronger among women than men. Among women, perceived stress was more strongly associated with long-term sickness absence than with all-length sickness absence.

Supporting a Culture of Health in the Workplace: A Review of Evidence-Based Elements

OBJECTIVE

To identify and evaluate the evidence base for culture of health elements.

DATA SOURCE

Multiple databases were systematically searched to identify research studies published between 1990 and 2015 on culture of health elements.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Researchers included studies based on the following criteria: (1) conducted in a worksite setting; (2) applied and evaluated 1 or more culture of health elements; and (3) reported 1 or more health or safety factors.

DATA EXTRACTION

Eleven researchers screened the identified studies with abstraction conducted by a primary and secondary reviewer. Of the 1023 articles identified, 10 research reviews and 95 standard studies were eligible and abstracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Data synthesis focused on research approach and design as well as culture of health elements evaluated.

RESULTS

The majority of published studies reviewed were identified as quantitative studies (62), whereas fewer were qualitative (27), research reviews (10), or other study approaches. Three of the most frequently studied culture of health elements were built environment (25), policies and procedures (28), and communications (27). Although all studies included a health or safety factor, not all reported a statistically significant outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable number of cross-sectional studies demonstrated significant and salient correlations between culture of health elements and the health and safety of employees, but more research is needed to examine causality.

A global, cross cultural study examining the relationship between employee health risk status and work performance metrics

Background

Health risk assessments (HRA) are used by many organisations as a basis for developing relevant and targeted employee health and well-being interventions. However, many HRA’s have a western-centric focus and therefore it is unclear whether the results can be directly extrapolated to those from non-western countries. More information regarding the differences in the associations between country status and health risks is needed along with a more global perspective of employee health risk factors and well-being overall. Therefore we aimed to i) quantify and compare associations for a number of health risk factors based on country status, and then ii) explore which characteristics can aid better prediction of well-being levels and in turn workplace productivity globally.

Methods

Online employee HRA data collected from 254 multi-national companies, for the years 2013 through 2016 was analysed (n = 117,274). Multiple linear regression models were fitted, adjusting for age and gender, to quantify associations between country status and health risk factors. Separate regression models were used to assess the prediction of well-being measures related to productivity.

Results

On average, the developing countries were comprised of younger individuals with lower obesity rates and markedly higher job satisfaction compared to their developed country counterparts. However, they also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, a greater number of health risks and lower job effectiveness. Assessment of key factors related to productivity found that region of residency was the biggest predictor of presenteeism and poor pain management was the biggest predictor of absenteeism.

Conclusions

Clear differences in health risks exist between employees from developed and developing countries and these should be considered when addressing well-being and productivity in the global workforce.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40557-017-0172-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Paid sick days and stay-at-home behavior for influenza

Access to paid sick days (PSD) differs by workplace size, race/ethnicity, gender, and income in the United States. It is not known to what extent decisions to stay home from work when sick with infectious illnesses such as influenza depend on PSD access, and whether access impacts certain demographic groups more than others. We examined demographic and workplace characteristics (including access to PSD) associated with employees' decisions to stay home from work for their own or a child's illness. Linking the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) consolidated data file to the medical conditions file, we used multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance estimates to identify factors associated with missed work for an employee's own or a child's illness/injury, influenza-like-illness (ILI), and influenza. Controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, education, and income, access to PSD was associated with a higher probability of staying home for an employee's own illness/injury, ILI, or influenza, and for a child's illness/injury. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a lower prevalence of staying home for the employee's own or a child's illness compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Access to PSD was associated with a significantly greater increase in the probability of staying home among Hispanics than among non-Hispanic Whites. Women had a significantly higher probability of staying home for their child's illness compared to men, suggesting that women remain the primary caregivers for ill children. Our results indicate that PSD access is important to encourage employees to stay home from work when sick with ILI or influenza. Also, PSD access may be important to enable stay-at-home behavior among Hispanics. We conclude that access to PSD is likely to reduce the spread of disease in workplaces by increasing the rate at which sick employees stay home from work, and reduce the economic burden of staying home on minorities, women, and families.

Determinants of presenteeism prevalence and propensity: Two sides of the same coin?

Research on the determinants of sickness presence can be based on employees' number of sickness presence days or employees' propensity to "opt" for presenteeism in case of sickness. This study compares associations between potential determinants and presenteeism in cross-sectional data from a sample of Austrian employees by considering days of sickness absence and presence and an estimator for sickness-presence propensity as outcome variables. The sets of significant determinants for the number of sickness presence days and propensity were found to be overlapping, but not equivalent. Whereas determinants of the number of days can help to identify groups with high presenteeism prevalence, determinants of propensity can help to identify factors that restrict the decision process in case of sickness. With respect to possible interventions aimed at reducing presenteeism, results relating to both perspectives should be considered.

Work organization, exposure to workplace hazards and sickness presenteeism in the European employed population

BACKGROUND

Aim of the study was to identify work organization features and workplace hazards associated with sickness presenteeism (SP) among European workers.

METHODS

The study was conducted on data from the European Working Conditions Survey 2010 and included a study population of 30,279 employees. The relationship between work-related factors and SP was assessed through Poisson multivariate robust regression models, adjusting for significant (P < 0.05) individual and work-related characteristics.

RESULTS

SP for at least 2 days in the previous year was reported by 35% of the workers. In fully adjusted model, several psychosocial (decision authority, skill discretion, reward, abuse; psychological, cognitive, and emotional demand), and organizational factors (shift work, working with clients, long work hours) were positively associated with SP, whereas job insecurity and exposure to physical factors (lifting or moving people, vibration) decreased SP risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the importance of work-related factors, especially psychosocial exposures and organizational features, in determining workers' SP.

Psychosocial job factors and biological cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican workers

BACKGROUND

Psychosocial job factors (PJF) have been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. The paucity of data from developing economies including Mexico hampers the development of worksite intervention efforts in those regions.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study of 2,330 Mexican workers assessed PJF (job strain [JS], social support [SS], and job insecurity [JI]) and biological cardiovascular disease risk factors [CVDRF] by questionnaire and on-site physical examinations. Alternative formulations of the JS scales were developed based on factor analysis and literature review. Associations between both traditional and alternative job factor scales with CVDRF were examined in multiple regression models, adjusting for physical workload, and socio-demographic factors.

RESULTS

Alternative formulations of the job demand and control scales resulted in substantial changes in effect sizes or statistical significance when compared with the original scales. JS and JI showed hypothesized associations with most CVDRF, but they were inversely associated with diastolic blood pressure and some adiposity measures. SS was mainly protective against CVDRF.

CONCLUSION

Among Mexican workers, alternative PJF scales predicted health outcomes better than traditional scales, and psychosocial stressors were associated with most CVDRF.

Access to health programs at the workplace and the reduction of work presenteeism: a population-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To examine access to health programs at workplace as a determinant of presenteeism among adults.

METHODS

Data source was a subsample of the 2009-2010 Canadian Community Health Survey. The outcome was self-reported reduced activities at work (presenteeism). The explanatory variable was self-reported access to a health program at workplace. Logistic regression was used to measure the association between outcome and explanatory variables adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Adjusting for sex, age, education, income, work stress, and chronic conditions, presenteeism was not associated with having access to a health program at workplace (adjusted odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.65). The odds of presenteeism were higher in workers who reported high work stress and those with chronic medical conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that access to health programs at workplace is not significantly associated with a decline in presenteeism.

The association between modifiable well-being risks and productivity: a longitudinal study in pooled employer sample

OBJECTIVE

To examine the longitudinal relationship between modifiable well-being risks and productivity.

METHODS

A total of 19,121 employees from five employers participated in baseline and follow-up well-being assessment surveys. Multivariate regressions assessed whether changes in absenteeism, presenteeism, and job performance were associated with changes in 19 modifiable well-being risks.

RESULTS

Over time, a 5% reduction in total count of well-being risks was significantly associated with 0.74% decrease in absenteeism, 2.38% decrease in presenteeism, and 0.24% increase in performance. High blood pressure, recurring pain, unhealthy diet, inadequate exercise, poor emotional health, poor supervisor relationship, not utilizing strengths doing job, and organization unsupportive of well-being had greater independent contributions in explaining productivity impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The often-ignored well-being risks such as work-related and financial health risks provided incremental explanation of longitudinal productivity variations beyond traditional measures of health-related risks.

Psychological distress, related work attendance, and productivity loss in small-to-medium enterprise owner/managers

Owner/managers of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) are an under-researched population in terms of psychological distress and the associated health and economic consequences. Using baseline data from the evaluation of the Business in Mind program, a mental health promotion intervention amongst SME owner/managers, this study investigated: (i) prevalence of high/very high psychological distress, past-month sickness absenteeism and presenteeism days in SME owner/managers; (ii) associated, self-reported lost productivity; and (iii) associations between work, non-work and business-specific factors and work attendance behaviours. In our sample of 217 SME owner/managers 36.8% reported high/very high psychological distress. Of this group 38.7% reported past-month absenteeism, 82.5% reported past-month presenteeism, and those reporting presenteeism were 50% less productive as than usual. Negative binomial regression was used to demonstrate the independent effects of socio-demographic, work-related wellbeing and health-related factors, as well as various individual and business characteristics on continuous measures of absenteeism and presenteeism days. Health-related factors (self-rated health and treatment) were the strongest correlates of higher presenteeism days (p < 0.05). Work-related wellbeing factors (job tension and job satisfaction) were the strongest correlates of higher absenteeism days (p < 0.05). Higher educational attainment, treatment and neuroticism were also correlated with more absenteeism days. SME-specific information about the occurrence of psychological distress, work attendance behaviour, and the variables that influence these decisions, are needed for the development of guidelines for managing psychological distress within this sector.

Sick at work: presenteeism among nurses in a Portuguese public hospital

Presenteeism refers to attending work despite being ill. This article focuses on this innovative organizational concept. Data from nurses at a major Portuguese public hospital (N=296) reported some major causes of presenteeism, namely lower-back pain, breath infections, migraines and stress. Although females revealed higher prevalence levels for most of the presenteeism causes, no gender differences were found regarding the number of hours people were affected by presenteeism. Moreover, other work variables were correlated-age, perceived health state, number of working hours, income and seniority-with a presenteeism scale (SPS-6) and a Health Condition Index. Most importantly, a negative correlation was found between perceived health status and presenteeism. Additionally, more experienced and highly paid nurses tended to be less affected by presenteeism. Finally, the limitations of this study-as well as some implications of presenteeism on productivity loss-are discussed.

Presenteeism according to healthy behaviors, physical health, and work environment

The objective of this study is to identify the contribution that selected demographic characteristics, health behaviors, physical health outcomes, and workplace environmental factors have on presenteeism (on-the-job productivity loss attributed to poor health and other personal issues). Analyses are based on a cross-sectional survey administered to 3 geographically diverse US companies in 2010. Work-related factors had the greatest influence on presenteeism (eg, too much to do but not enough time to do it, insufficient technological support/resources). Personal problems and financial stress/concerns also contributed substantially to presenteeism. Factors with less contribution to presenteeism included physical limitations, depression or anxiety, inadequate job training, and problems with supervisors and coworkers. Presenteeism was greatest for those ages 30-49, women, separated/divorced/widowed employees, and those with a high school degree or some college. Clerical/office workers and service workers had higher presenteeism. Managers and professionals had the highest level of presenteeism related to having too much to do but too little time to do it, and transportation workers had the greatest presenteeism because of physical health limitations. Lowering presenteeism will require that employers have realistic expectations of workers, help workers prioritize, and provide sufficient technological support. Financial stress and concerns may warrant financial planning services. Health promotion interventions aimed at improving nutrition and physical and mental health also may contribute to reducing presenteeism.

Improving quality of medical treatment and care: are surgeons' working conditions and job satisfaction associated to patient satisfaction?

BACKGROUND

Over the last decades, surgeons, researchers, and health administrators have been working hard to define standards for high-quality treatment and care in Surgery departments. However, it is unclear whether patients' perceptions of medical treatment and care are related and affected by surgeons' perceptions of their working conditions and job satisfaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' satisfaction in relation to surgeons' working conditions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey with 120 patients and 109 surgeons working in Surgery hospital departments was performed. Surgeons completed a survey evaluating their working conditions and job satisfaction. Patients assessed quality of medical care and treatment and their satisfaction with being a patient in this department.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of the patients were satisfied with performed surgeries and services in their department. Surgeons' job satisfaction and working conditions rated with moderate scores. Bivariate analyses showed correlations between patients' satisfaction and surgeons' job satisfaction and working conditions. Strongest correlations were found between kindness of medical staff, treatment outcome and overall patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates strong associations between surgeons' working conditions and patient satisfaction. Based on these findings, hospital managements should improve work organization, workload, and job resources to not only improve surgeons' job satisfaction but also quality of medical treatment and patient satisfaction in Surgery departments.

Productivity and health: an application of three perspectives to measuring productivity

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to illustrate the meaningful relationship between self-reported measures of productivity and health status from three different perspectives.

METHODS

Health risk data was drawn from 577,186 individuals who completed the HealthMedia Succeed Health Risk Assessment and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire over a span of nearly four years. Analyses were conducted for 10 modifiable health risks and five chronic conditions.

RESULTS

Productivity impairment was greater for high-risk participants for the modifiable health risks and those who had been diagnosed with a chronic condition. Improvements in health status led to significant gains in productivity. Modifiable health risks are nearly five times more costly than chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The value in a self-report measurement approach to productivity was demonstrated by illustrating the meaningful relationships between health status and productivity as measured by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment.

Sickness presenteeism in Spanish-born and immigrant workers in Spain

Background

Previous studies have shown that immigrant workers face relatively worse working and employment conditions, as well as lower rates of sickness absence than native-born workers. This study aims to assess rates of sickness presenteeism in a sample of Spanish-born and foreign-born workers according to different characteristics.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst a convenience sample of workers (Spanish-born and foreign-born), living in four Spanish cities: Barcelona, Huelva, Madrid and Valencia (2008-2009). Sickness presenteeism information was collected through two items in the questionnaire ("Have you had health problems in the last year?" and "Have you ever had to miss work for any health problem?") and was defined as worker who had a health problem (answered yes, first item) and had not missed work (answered no, second item). For the analysis, the sample of 2,059 workers (1,617 foreign-born) who answered yes to health problems was included. After descriptives, logistic regressions were used to establish the association between origin country and sickness presenteeism (adjusted odds ratios aOR; 95% confidence interval 95%CI). Analyses were stratified per time spent in Spain among foreign-born workers.

Results

All of the results refer to the comparison between foreign-born and Spanish-born workers as a whole, and in some categories relating to personal and occupational conditions. Foreign-born workers were more likely to report sickness presenteeism compared with their Spanish-born counterparts, especially those living in Spain for under 2 years [Prevalence: 42% in Spanish-born and 56.3% in Foreign-born; aOR 1.77 95%CI 1.24-2.53]. In case of foreign-born workers (with time in Spain < 2 years), men [aOR 2.31 95%CI 1.40-3.80], those with university studies [aOR 3.01 95%CI 1.04-8.69], temporary contracts [aOR 2.26 95%CI 1.29-3.98] and salaries between 751-1,200€ per month [aOR 1.74 95% CI 1.04-2.92] were more likely to report sickness presenteeism. Also, recent immigrants with good self-perceived health and good mental health were more likely to report presenteeism than Spanish-born workers with the same good health indicators.

Conclusions

Immigrant workers report more sickness presenteeism than their Spanish-born counterparts. These results could be related to precarious work and employment conditions of immigrants. Immigrant workers should benefit from the same standards of social security, and of health and safety in the workplace that are enjoyed by Spanish workers.