Occupational stress, physician-excused absences, and absences not excused by a physician.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores two possible mechanisms through which occupational stress is linked to absenteeism. The extent to which physician-excused absenteeism and absenteeism not excused by a physician are related to employee reports of perceived stress is assessed.


METHODS
A plant wide survey was conducted in January 1990. Employee reports of occupational stress gained from this survey were linked with 1990 absenteeism data from the employees' records.


METHODS
A mid-sized manufacturing plant.


METHODS
Complete data were available for 998 of the 1534 (65%) unionized employees in the plant.


METHODS
Measures of both physician-excused absences and absences not excused by a physician were created. Stressors included role ambiguity, lack of control over work pace, and being paid on a piece-rate basis. Perceived stresses included role conflict, physical environment stresses, and overall work stress.


RESULTS
For physician-excused absenteeism, role conflict (OR, 1.54, p < .01), overall work stress (OR, 1.24, p < .05), and physical environment stress (OR, 1.34, p < .05) had significantly elevated odds ratios, even after adjusting for demographics. For absences not excused by a physician, none of the stressors or stresses had significant odds ratios after controlling for demographic characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Employees in this plant were not using short-term voluntary absenteeism as a way of coping with work stress. However, high levels of perceived work stress were associated with subsequent physician-excused absences.
Heaney
C A
CA
Ohio State University, Department of Preventive Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210-1240, USA.
Clemans
J
J
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010820:Physicians; D012107:Research Design; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology