Reduction In Absenteeism Research Articles

Return on Investment (ROI) and Development of a Workplace Disability Management Program in a Hospital-A Pilot Evaluation Study.

The progressive ageing of the working population and the increase in related chronic diseases tend to affect working capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a Workplace Disability Management Program (WDMP) within a pediatric hospital. Absenteeism due to healthcare workers’ (HCWs) pre- and post- WDMP and the related costs were used for the program evaluation. The Return on Investment (ROI), the Break-Even Analysis (BEA) and the value of the average annual productivity of HCWs who took advantage of the Disability Management (DM) interventions to assess the economic impact of the program, were also used. The HCWs enrolled in the program were 131 (approximately 4% of hospital staff), of which 89.7% females and with an average age of 50.4 years (SD ± 8.99). Sick leave days of the HCWs involved decreased by 66.6% in the year following the end of WDMP compared to the previous one (p < 0.001). The total estimated cost reduction of absenteeism is 427,896€ over a year. ROI was equal to 27.66€. BEA indicated that the break-even point was reached by implementing the program on 3.27 HCWs. The program evaluation demonstrated the particular effectiveness of the implemented WDMP model, acting positively on the variables that affect productivity and the limitation to work.

The effectiveness of a corporate exercise intervention programme on cardiovascular risk profile, fitness and productivity: A South African view.

Workplace wellness and disease-prevention programmes have been given increasing attention as a means to improve employee health and lower health costs. Health risk factors have been associated with improved work productivity. Further, health risk is reduced with improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Therefore, personal and workplace benefits may be achieved by workplace wellness programmes. To investigate the effect of an on-site exercise-based wellness programme in a South African (SA) corporation. The impact of the programme on health risk factors, physiological parameters and corporate productivity indices was assessed. Members joining the on-site gym facility of an SA corporation embarked on an individualised 12-week exercise programme, designed using the MyWellness Technogym Cloud platform and based on the participant's cardiovascular risk stratification. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, waist circumference, CRF and muscle strength measures were assessed at the start and the end of the 12-week intervention. The number of pre- and postintervention cardiac risk factors were also applied to the Association of Health Productivity Management formula to estimate the effect of the intervention on absenteeism, presenteeism and productivity loss. The number of cardiovascular risk factors decreased in the low-, medium- and high-risk groups (68.1%, 42.7% and 41%, respectively). Body mass and BMI decreased significantly (mean (standard deviation (SD) ‒0.3 (5.0)% and ‒0.3 (5.4)%, respectively). Waist circumference also decreased significantly by 2.2% (6.3%). Only the diastolic blood pressure component of blood pressure changed significantly (‒1.2 (14.7)%) and VO2 peak increased by 14.2%. Upper- and lower-body strength improved by 17.9% and 20%, respectively. VO2 peak, BMI and lower-body strength were the only variables that changed significantly after effect size calculations were applied. Furthermore, the predicted impact on productivity loss showed a 1.1% improvement. This was the result of a predicted reduction in absenteeism (0.4%) and a reduction in presenteeism (0.8%). This corporate on-site exercise intervention programme positively affected the cardiovascular risk factors, biometrics, muscle strength and CRF of employees. These health outcomes decreased employee productivity loss. On-site workplace wellness programmes should be encouraged.

I Can’t Go to Work Tomorrow! Work-Family Policies, Well-Being and Absenteeism

Among the main causes of absenteeism are health problems, emotional problems, and inadequate work-family policies (WFP). This paper analyses the impact of the existence and accessibility of WFP on work absenteeism, by considering the mediating role of the well-being, which includes emotional as well as physical or health problems, that is generated by these policies. We differentiate between the existence of the WFP and its accessibility, as the mere existence of the WFP in an organisation is not enough. Additionally, workers must be able to access these policies easily and without retaliation of any kind. The model includes the hierarchy and the gender as moderating variables. To test the proposed hypotheses, a structural equation model based on the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach is applied to a sample of employees in the service sector in Spain. On the one hand, the findings show that the existence of WFP has no direct effect on absenteeism; however, accessibility to these policies does have a direct effect on absenteeism. On the other hand, both the existence and accessibility of WFP have positive direct effects on emotional well-being. In addition, emotional well-being is positively related to physical well-being which, in turn, promotes a reduction in absenteeism. Finally, significant differences in the relationship between the existence of WFP and emotional well-being confirm the special difficulty of female managers in reconciling family life and work life.

Innovation in ergonomics: a survey in the agribusiness sector of Brazil

The healthy organisation encourages participatory environments, is innovative, is centralised in the sense of human relations in the workplace, and has an anthropocentric essence of ergonomics. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between innovations in ergonomics, absenteeism and in the risk of lifting loads in six units of an agribusiness. The method we used was a quantitative survey of a descriptive nature, survey type with a sample of 419 workers, which used measures that explored the relationship between the study variables, through factor analysis and multiple linear regression. The results show that the workplace environment explains 46% of the occurrence of process and organisational innovations in ergonomics, since the process and organisational innovations in ergonomics justify by 40% the significant reduction of absenteeism. Healthy organisations have in their management processes the involvement of workers and make innovations that refine their performance and contribute to human relationships in the workplace, which positively affect both the organisation and the workers.

The Canary Platform for the Reduction of School Absenteeism

In 2012, the Canaries School Council (CSC) and the Canary Federation of Municipalities (FECAM) decided to investigate the level of school absenteeism in the Canary Islands. They therefore with the Ministry of Education Canary Islands Government about holding a conference for municipal technical teams on addressing this problem, which is particularly worrying in the Canary Islands. Following a needs analysis, the Canary Platform for the Reduction of Absenteeism was developed, comprising three web pages: i) a social network, for communication and cooperation between municipal technical teams; ii) a repository, for resources, such as protocols, documents, articles, communications, available to download; and iii) Moodle, for offering a 125-hour university course for the technical teams. The Canary Platform for the Reduction of Absenteeism operated between March 2013 and September 2018, beginning with 292 technicians from all the Canarian municipalities and, subsequently extending to other institutions, such as island councils, secondary school teachers, educational and psycho-pedagogical guidance teams, and local police. The level of use of, number of visits to, and number of downloads from the website during the first stage were much higher than the second, when despite not being updated, demand continued, especially for the standardized protocol for school absenteeism. These results proved that municipal teams need technical support, supervision, and guidance.

Impact of Communicative and Informative Strategies on Influenza Vaccination Adherence and Absenteeism from Work of Health Care Professionals Working at the University Hospital of Palermo, Italy: A Quasi-Experimental Field Trial on Twelve Influenza Seasons.

Every year, about 20% of health care workers (HCWs) acquire influenza, continuing to work and encouraging virus spreading. Influenza vaccination coverage rates and absenteeism from work among HCWs of the University Hospital (UH) of Palermo were analyzed before and after the implementation of several initiatives in order to increase HCWs’ awareness about influenza vaccination. Vaccines administration within hospital units, dedicated web pages on social media and on the UH of Palermo institutional web site, and mandatory compilation of a dissent form for those HCWs who refused vaccination were carried out during the last four influenza seasons. After the introduction of these strategies, influenza vaccination coverage went up from 5.2% (2014/2015 season) to 37.2% (2018/2019 season) (p < 0.001), and mean age of vaccinated HCWs significantly decreased from 48.1 years (95% CI: 45.7–50.5) to 35.9 years (95% CI: 35.0–36.8). A reduction of working days lost due to acute sickness among HCWs of the UH of Palermo was observed. Fear of adverse reactions and not considering themselves as a high-risk group for contracting influenza were the main reasons reported by HCWs that refused vaccination. Strategies undertaken at the UH of Palermo allowed a significant increase in vaccination adherence and a significant reduction of absenteeism from work.

Innovation in ergonomics: a survey in the agribusiness sector of Brazil

The healthy organisation encourages participatory environments, is innovative, is centralised in the sense of human relations in the workplace, and has an anthropocentric essence of ergonomics. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between innovations in ergonomics, absenteeism and in the risk of lifting loads in six units of an agribusiness. The method we used was a quantitative survey of a descriptive nature, survey type with a sample of 419 workers, which used measures that explored the relationship between the study variables, through factor analysis and multiple linear regression. The results show that the workplace environment explains 46% of the occurrence of process and organisational innovations in ergonomics, since the process and organisational innovations in ergonomics justify by 40% the significant reduction of absenteeism. Healthy organisations have in their management processes the involvement of workers and make innovations that refine their performance and contribute to human relationships in the workplace, which positively affect both the organisation and the workers.

Part Two of Two We will never have the kind of schools we would like to have, nor the test scores we want, unless we do something about _______________

In this article, the second of a two-part presentation, the author advocates for early childhood education, summer school experiences, reduction of absenteeism, and better pay for qualified educators. Part One appeared in the July 2019 issue of the Record.

Asthma: An overview of management and education

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in schoolchildren and the school nurse plays an important role in supporting children with asthma ( Borgmeyer et al, 2005 ; Huss et al, 2001 ). School nurse have an important role in educating children about self-management and early management of exacerbations ( Ahmad and Grimes, 2011 ). This can lead to a reduction in absenteeism, and support their general wellbeing ( Ahmad and Grimes, 2011 ; Moonie et al, 2008 ; Rodriguez et al, 2013 ). Part of this role includes educating children and young adults about inhaler technique, and this is one area which nurses require further education and training ( Lalani et al, 2012 ; De Tratto et al, 2014 ). There is also a call for school nurses to work with a range of clinicians to support their students ( Hollenbach and Cloutier, 2014 ; Wilson et al, 2009 ).

Online voting as an element of cybersecurity of megacities

The subject. The author explores the possibility of online voting during the elections from the perspective of urban security.The purpose of the paper is to confirm or disprove hypothesis that introduction of online voting in the elections in large cities contributes to the growth of the electorate’s confidence and reduction of absenteeism, but only if cybersecurity of metropolises is ensured.The methodology of the study includes general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, description) and the method of comparative law.The main results and scope of their application. The very essence of online voting involves the use of a dedicated Internet platform and digital devices. This method has many advantages, including the ability to attract many people, the convenience and reliability of the whole process, as well as the automatic calculation of results. However, the issue of online voting in large cities directly affects the problem of ensuring their cybersecurity. Electronic voting can be subject to certain risks like any Internet procedure. Some of them have their own offline counterparts, such as the sale of votes. Others are unique to the digital environment, such as cyber violations and DDoS-attacks.Conclusions. Electronic voting helps to solve the problem of low voters’ turnout, unites communities, universities, companies and people. This new process must be protected from any potential threats to security.An inefficient voter authentication procedure can adversely affect the reliability of the entire online voting system. Hacking the authentication system can lead to fraud and theft of data and votes. The blockchain system provides effective protection against such hacks and cyberattacks. It would be effective if it was possible to download a special anti-virus program from the election commission website to clean the user's computer from malicious content or at least check the presence of viral content. The license key of such a program may be valid only for the period of the elections. The decision against forcing an electronic vote for a particular candidate can be made by an online voting system that allows you to change your choice several times. We need well-thought-out training and advanced training programmes for state and municipal employees, including programmes for initial technical training, to reduce security risks. It is necessary to train possible users of the online voting system, since the security of a computer or smartphone, the absence of virus programs, as well as the timeliness of voting are in the area of responsibility of online voters. Online voting may not be the only way a voter can express his or her will. It is always necessary to keep the possibility of classical voting by paper ballots.

Review of Social Benefits of Green and Sustainable Real Estate Properties

At present, green real estate development and construction seems to focus largely on mitigating environmental impacts and generating economic and financial returns at both the building and market levels whereas the practice and standards of providing social benefits equally at individual, organizational, institutional and community levels appear to have received less attention. There has been a range of opinions that the cause of this may have been that real estate market participants and industry players are not fully aware or less certain of the social benefits accruable from green building. This paper reviews the social benefits of green and sustainable real estate properties. The study identifies minimization of strain on local infrastructure, reduction in absenteeism, boosts in creativity, higher morale and lower workforce turnover, users’ satisfaction and more control over the environment, setting example in the community and environment among others as the social benefits associated with green building. However, the review empowers the authors to hypothesize that the impact of corporate social responsibility is dependent on the real estate market participant’s knowledge of sustainability. The study will be useful to researchers, practitioners and policy makers in real estate development and market who are seeking clearer explanations on key factors that could attract investment in green building. Keywords: Sustainability, green building benefits, corporate social responsibility, social indicators, real estate construction, and market participants. DOI : 10.7176/JETP/9-6-04 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

Sickness presenteeism at work: prevalence, costs and management.

Presenteeism is defined as continuing to attend work during illness. As a growing health concern, awareness of the factors that encourage presenteeism and the risks of this behaviour is needed. A narrative review of research obtained via several databases, including Medline and Psycinfo, was conducted. A range of contextual and individual factors is associated with presenteeism. Workers in some sectors, such as healthcare, appear to be at greater risk. Presenteeism may facilitate rehabilitation and recovery but it can exacerbate existing health problems and increase the risk of subsequent illness and absence as well as impair workability. The incidence of sickness presenteeism is rising, alongside reductions in absenteeism. The growing awareness of the costs of presenteeism, especially in safety-critical environments, suggests that it should be considered a risk-taking behaviour and carefully measured and managed. Measuring presenteeism as well as absenteeism will provide more accurate information about employee health. Raising awareness of the risks of working while sick and the economic, moral, cultural and social pressures on employees to do so appears crucial. Systemic interventions to manage presenteeism based on research evidence are required.

The Effect of Biologic and Targeted Synthetic Drugs on Work- and Productivity-related Outcomes for Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

To systematically review the effects of biologic therapies for psoriatic arthritis [secukinumab, ustekinumab, adalimumab, etanercept, certolizumab pegol (CZP), apremilast, golimumab (GOL), or infliximab (IFX)] on work productivity. A systematic review of Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials reporting on work productivity outcomes at the end of the placebo-controlled double-blind period. There were 7959 records identified. Full text of 377 records was further assessed for eligibility, of which 5 trials were included. All included trials were assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and 4 out of 5 were judged to be of low risk of bias in most domains. Improvements in self-assessed work productivity were observed in 5 trials (IFX, GOL, CZP, ustekinumab, and apremilast), ranging from a mean difference of -0.9 to -1.8 on a 1-10 scale of self-assessed work productivity (negative change represents improvement), although statistical significance of the results was not reported for CZP and apremilast. Treatment with CZP resulted in a statistically significant reduction in absenteeism (200 mg) and presenteeism (200 and 400 mg). IFX and GOL reported a nonsignificant reduction of absenteeism. The Work Productivity Survey, the Work Limitations Questionnaire, and visual analog scales were used to measure work productivity. Treatment with IFX, GOL, CZP, ustekinumab, and apremilast resulted in improvements in self-reported work productivity. A pooled analysis was not possible because of the clinical heterogeneity of the trials and variability in outcome reporting.

Cost-effectiveness of a complex workplace dietary intervention: an economic evaluation of the Food Choice at Work study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the costs, benefits and cost-effectiveness of complex workplace dietary interventions, involving nutrition education and system-level dietary modification, from the perspective of healthcare providers and employers.DesignSingle-study economic evaluation of...

The association of fitness and school absenteeism across gender and poverty: a prospective multilevel analysis in New York City middle schools

PurposeOne-fifth to one-third of students in high poverty, urban school districts do not attend school regularly (missing ≥6 days/year). Fitness is shown to be associated with absenteeism, although this relationship may differ across poverty and gender subgroups. MethodsSix cohorts of New York City public school students were followed up from grades 5 to 8 during 2006/2007–2012/2013 (n = 349,381). Stratified three-level longitudinal generalized linear mixed models were used to test the association between changes in fitness and 1-year lagged child-specific days absent across gender and poverty. ResultsIn girls attending schools in high/very high poverty areas, greater improvements in fitness the prior year were associated with greater reductions in absenteeism (P = .034). Relative to the reference group (>20% decrease in fitness composite percentile scores from the prior year), girls with a large increase in fitness (>20%) demonstrated 10.3% fewer days absent (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.834, 0.964), followed by those who had a 10%–20% increase in fitness (9.2%; IRR 95% CI: 0.835, 0.987), no change (5.4%; IRR 95% CI: 0.887, 1.007), and a 10%–20% decrease in fitness (3.8%; IRR 95% CI: 0.885, 1.045). In girls attending schools in low/mid poverty areas, fitness and absenteeism also had an inverse relationship, but no clear trend emerged. In boys, fitness and absenteeism had an inverse relationship but was not significant in either poverty group. ConclusionsFitness improvements may be more important to reducing absenteeism in high/very high poverty girls compared with low/mid poverty girls and both high/very high and low/mid poverty boys. Expanding school-based physical activity programs for youth particularly in high poverty neighborhoods may increase student attendance.

ANAMT Technical Guideline (DT 05): prevention of occupational low back pain through back belts, lumbar support or braces.

Low back pain is a considerable global public health problem. Use of back belts in occupational settings arises from the expectation of countless biomechanical benefits, which together would contribute to the prevention of this problem. To orient students, physicians and health institutions on the use of back belts, lumbar support or braces for prevention of low back pain or injury among asymptomatic workers. The present guideline was developed based on a systematic literature review; 809 studies were located in database MEDLINE and 571 in EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL. Evaluating back-belt use as preventive intervention against low back pain demands quantifying benefits, harms and difficulties to implementation, as well as the methodological quality of primary studies. Despite the weak benefits reflected in the individual, partial and isolated results of a few studies, there is no consistent evidence for the use of back belts, lumbar supports or braces for primary prevention of low back pain or occupational low back injury among workers. According to the available evidence, back-belt use is not associated with reduction of absenteeism.

The Effect of Intelligent Physical Exercise Training on Sickness Presenteeism and Absenteeism Among Office Workers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of individually tailored intelligent physical exercise training (IPET) on presenteeism and absenteeism among office workers. In a 1-year randomized controlled trial (RCT), employees were allocated to a training group TG (N = 193) or control group CG (N = 194). TG received 1-hour high-intensity IPET once a week within working hours, and was recommended to perform 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) 6 days a week during leisure-time. An intention-to-treat analysis showed no effect on absenteeism, but a significant 4% increase in workability and 9% increase in general health in TG compared with CG. A per-protocol analysis [adherence of ≥70% (N = 89)] in addition showed a significant 6% increase in productivity and a 29% reduction in absenteeism compared with CG. IPET combined with recommendations of leisure-time PA significantly improved presenteeism and decreased absenteeism if following the protocol.

P180 Investing in workability of patients with IBD: results of a pilot project Activ84worK (Activate for worK)

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic gastrointestinal conditions mainly affecting young people. The symptoms of these diseases often make it difficult to actively participate in the workplace especially during periods of flare. Activ84worK was a pilot project to stimulate professional activity and reduce absenteeism in IBD patients by providing them with more flexible working conditions including teleworking. The aim of Activ84worK was to improve both the well-being of the patient as well as his/her employer, and to contribute to a reduction in absenteeism. Methods: Activ84worK was a collaboration between Abbvie, Mensura, Proximus, SD Worx and University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven) with the support of the patient association “Crohn- en Colitis Ulcerosa Vereniging (CCV vzw) in Flanders, Belgium”. Since April 2015, IBD patients were recruited by CCV and the gastroenterology department of UZ Leuven. Patients who showed interest, were contacted by Novellas healthcare for screening and follow-up in the program. Informed consent was signed and both the employee and employer were followed for 6 months by face-to-face meetings and intermediate phone contacts. The project was evaluated from 3 perspectives: the benefit of teleworking for the employer, the employee, and the effect on society. Results: Between April 2015 and October 2016, 71 patients showed interest in the Activ84worK program, 19 were eligible to participate and 14 completed the program (29% male, 29% private companies). Over the period of 6 months, all patients expressed their enthusiasm for tailored and flexible working conditions thanks to the option of teleworking. The case studies, based on interviews conducted with participating employees, indicated that removing work-related stress factors (such as not having a toilet nearby, not being able to take a rest when needed) resulted in employees feeling much more at ease. Concretely, this led to fewer days of sick leave for most patients, a higher degree of workability and focus of employees, and a decrease in costs of absenteeism for employers and society. The pilot project was seen as a very positive experience by both parties. In addition, more openness was created between the employee and the employer, the taboo on the disease was lifted, and this had an overall positive impact on the work-life balance of patients. Conclusions: This pilot project showed that teleworking and flexible working hours improved labor participation of patients with IBD. The results of this project are now used to inspire policy-makers and employers to gain maximum support for the chronically ill eager to work. We feel this initiative should be extended to a larger cohort of patients and should also be tested in other chronic diseases.

Impact of Employee Assistance Services on Depression, Anxiety, and Risky Alcohol Use: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

To test the impact of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) on reducing employee depression, anxiety, and risky alcohol use, and whether improvements in clinical symptoms lead to improved work outcomes. The study used a prospective, quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching. Participants (n = 344) came from 20 areas of state government. EAP (n = 156) and non-EAP (n = 188) employees were matched on baseline demographic, psychosocial, and work-related characteristics that differentiate EAP from non-EAP users. Follow-up surveys were collected 2 to 12 months later (M = 6.0). EAP significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, but not at-risk alcohol use. EAP reductions in depression and anxiety mediated EAP-based reductions in absenteeism and presenteeism. EAPs provide easy-to-access work-based services that are effective at improving employee mental health.

Políticas e práticas de gestão de pessoas e suas relações com o absenteísmo na área de produção

Pessoas são recursos-chave nas organizações que buscam mais competitividade e valor de mercado. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar as relações entre as políticas e práticas de gestão de pessoas, o senso de justiça e o absenteísmo na área da produção, em um cenário de constante busca de maior qualidade de vida. O método abrangeu o levantamento de dados primários através de survey aplicados a 90 colaboradores da área de produção numa empresa de médio porte na cidade de São Paulo e foram analisados por meio de modelagem de equações estruturais. Os resultados mostraram que as políticas de gestão de pessoas aplicadas na organização estudada, como cargos e salários, benefícios e treinamento não tiveram influência significativa sobre a redução do absenteísmo na organização. Conclui-se que a redução do absenteísmo é mais influenciada pelo senso de justiça e demonstra que elogios por parte do superior e valorização do profissional bem como feedback positivo são fundamentais para os colaboradores desejarem permanecer na organização.