Take Home Messages:

Employee health and lifestyle factors have a significant impact on workplace productivity and absenteeism.

Why the research matters:

Decreased workplace productivity and absences are a significant source of financial burden for employers.  In order to reduce this burden, it is important to indentify key contributing factors so that effective interventions may be put in place.

What the research involved:

This study analysed data collected by a survey aimed at assessing the health and productivity of employees (health risk appraisal).  The database contained information from 17,821 employees from 20 different countries. 

The study explored whether factors such as the health and wellbeing of employees could be used to predict workplace productivity and employee absence rates.

Summary of research findings:

Lower rates of productivity of employees were associated with higher rates of absences.

Decreased productivity whilst at work was associated with employees who:

• Had poor overall health and/or depression;
• Felt unhappy about their personal life or finances;
• Worked long hours;
• Found their jobs more demanding than satisfying
• Found their jobs were either physically demanding or extremely inactive; and
• Those with high stress levels.

Higher rates of employees being absent from work was associated with employees who:

• Had poor overall heath, depression, major illnesses or metabolic syndrome/pre-diabetes;
• Reported greater levels of work-life imbalance, greater financial concerns, or more negative personal life impact; and
• Had jobs requiring low levels of activity, who worked in service industries, and whose jobs were blue-collar, those who worked nights, or those who had more environmental stress factors.

Also, the study found that employees were more likely to develop poor overall health, depression, metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes) or other health risk behaviours if they:

• Reported a negative personal life;
• Felt greater financial concerns;
• Had higher levels of stress and more environmental stressors;
• Were older; or
• Were female

The study concluded that employee health and lifestyle factors have a significant impact on workplace productivity and absences.

Original research:

Using routinely collected data to augment the management of health and productivity loss.Allen H.

J Occup Environ Med. 2008 Jun;50(6):615-32.

Link to PubMed abstract

Authors contact details: