Research short: Attending work while sick
Attending Work while Sick, Implications of Flexible of Sick Leave Policies
Over the winter season there is an increase in respiratory illnesses or flu-like illnesses. People are contagious, particularly in the early stage of their infection.
This study explored whether employers could improve policies to reduce the impact of viral illnesses. The study was undertaken in the United States, over three large workplaces.
Over a six-month winter period the data regarding time off work for respiratory illnesses was collected. The researchers studied whether workplace policies, in particular the ability to work from home - or teleworking - influenced employee approaches.
Over that six-month period just under 800 employees reported having a flu-like illness. Just over two-thirds attended work even with severe flu-like symptoms.
Employees who were able to work from home were 30% less likely to attend work with their severe symptoms.
The researchers point out that this is significant and that it is likely to reduce the rate of infection.
Unfortunately, the researchers did not advise whether it reduced the rate of infections for others, or sick leave for others within the team. Nevertheless, it is likely that this would have occurred.
This is another study which suggests how workplaces that have flexible work practices can assist reduce sickness absence.
Authors
Rousculp MD. Johnston SS. Palmer LA. Chu BC. Mahadevia PJ. Nichol KL.
Institution
Health Outcomes and Pharmacoeconomics, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA. RousculpM@MedImmune.com
Title
Attending work while sick: implication of flexible sick leave policies.
Source
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 52(10):1009-13, 2010 Oct.
Country of Publication
United States
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of various flexible sick leave policies (FSLPs) on workplace attendance of employees with self-reported "severe" influenza-like-illness (ILI) symptoms.
METHODS: This is a prospective study of employees from three US employers, which involved collection of information on employees' access to FSLPs and monthly experience with ILI and workplace attendance from November 2007 to April 2008. Multivariate analyses were used to estimate the impact of FSLPs on employees' workplace attendance while they were experiencing severe ILI symptoms.
RESULTS: Among 793 employees with ILI, the average duration of severe ILI symptoms was 3.0 days. Most employees (71.9%) attended work with severe ILI symptoms, for an average of 1.3 days. Employees who could telework had a 29.7% lower rate of attending work with severe ILI symptoms (P = 0.026).
CONCLUSIONS: Employers that implement teleworking policies may be able to reduce employee-to-employee transmission of respiratory illness, including seasonal and pandemic influenza.