Relationship between occupational health care and absenteeism

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• A widely assumed link exists between occupational health care (BGZ) and reduced employee absenteeism.
• Despite claims in Dutch literature, empirical evidence supporting BGZ's positive impact on absenteeism is lacking.
• Previous research has not utilized experimental or quasi-experimental designs to investigate this relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of occupational health care (BGZ) on employee absenteeism using a quasi-experimental design.
• To provide empirical evidence on the complex relationship between BGZ and absenteeism.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study, the "Experiment met BGZ voor Onderwijspersoneel" (EBO), was conducted.
• The study compared absenteeism rates in an experimental group receiving BGZ with a control group.
• Data was collected over the course of the experiment, with a focus on the final year.

Main Results:

• The study found that the relationship between BGZ and absenteeism is more complex than commonly assumed.
• Absence levels in the experimental group significantly increased, particularly long-term absences (≥6 months).
• Conversely, absence rates slightly decreased in the control group.

Conclusions:

• The findings challenge the conventional assumption that BGZ directly reduces absenteeism.
• Occupational health care may have unintended consequences, potentially increasing long-term employee absences.
• Further research is needed to understand the complex dynamics between BGZ interventions and absenteeism patterns.