Retaining the ability to work-associated factors at work

Prevention of work-related sickness absence has traditionally dealt with reduction of exposures to known risk factors. However, there is reason to believe that there are also factors at work that act as health supportive. This study aimed to identify workplace factors predicting retained work ability.

The present prospective cohort study included the follow-up of 6337 randomly chosen, gainfully employed Swedish women and men for 1 year. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses odds ratios (ORs) together with 95% confidence interval were calculated in order to estimate the strength of the associations between different factors reported in a baseline questionnaire, and retained work ability was defined as not being on long-term sick leave (> 14 days) during the follow-up.

Work-related factors significantly associated with retained work ability were as follows: reporting the work as physically non-strenuous (women: OR 1.6; men: OR 2.1), working at a workplace where there are no plans to close down (w: OR 2.3) and feeling recuperated and full of energy (w : = R1.5), and often being in the mood for work (m : 1.4). Significant associations with retained work ability were also found for age, socioeconomic level, household composition, employment sector, and previous sick leave patterns.

The findings highlight some factors at work, but also some in the personal sphere that are influential for retained work ability, regardless of sick leave patterns prior to the study period. Identifying such factors can provide valuable knowledge for workplace health promotion.