The Association of Health Risks with Absenteeism and Presenteeism

Oh, Seung Won; Jung, Ki Taig; Park, Ji Young

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study sought to provide evidence for the relationship between health risks and selfreported absenteeism and presenteeism.
METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis of 496 employees of an electric company was conducted. Participants responded to a self-questionnaire including the assessment of 7 health risks (obesity, current smoking, problem drinking, lack of exercise, chronic disease, depressive mood, high stress) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment - General Health Questionnaire (WPAI-GH). Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the significance of health risks on work impairment.
RESULTS
As a result of the analysis of all the participants, problem drinking (absenteeism) and high stress (absenteeism and presenteeism) were significantly associated with work impairment. In the analysis of a sub-group, current smoking (presenteeism), lack of exercise (absenteeism), and high stress (presenteeism and absenteeism) were significantly associated with reduced productivity among the blue-collar workers. However, the analysis of the white-collar workers showed no significant relationship between health risks and work impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
This investigation suggests that employees who have more health risks will experience more absenteeism and presenteeism than employees with fewer risks, and this association is affected by employment type.