Job satisfaction and sickness absence: a questionnaire survey

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology of Work

Background:

• Workplace dissatisfaction can precede sickness absence.
• Screening for job satisfaction may identify at-risk employees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between job satisfaction and subsequent sickness absence.
• Investigate links to sickness absence days and episodes.

Main Methods:

• Random sample of employees with prior absence.
• Job satisfaction measured on a 7-point Likert scale.
• Linked satisfaction levels to recorded sickness absence in 2003.

Main Results:

• Mean job satisfaction was 5.1 (SD 1.4).
• Higher job satisfaction correlated with fewer total sickness absence days.
• Associations with absence episodes were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Job satisfaction significantly predicts total sickness absence duration.
• Assessing work satisfaction can identify employees with higher sickness absence potential.
• Screening for job satisfaction may aid in proactive workplace health management.