[Study of the relationship among work and demographic characteristics, sickness absence and occupational mobility].
BACKGROUND
The problem of sick absences from work is correlated to a series of organizational, social and psychological factors which interact with risk factors typical of the work performed, and thus determine how frequently absences occur. The correlation between morbidity and work is of interest in itself for studying the processes of occupational mobility.


OBJECTIVE
To examine, using data from administrative sources, the association of sick absence with individual and workplace factors, as well as the relationship between illness and career mobility.


METHODS
Employee sick absence data registered at INPS (National Institute of Social Insurance) in the period 1992-95 were studied using a sample of 124,686 subjects.


RESULTS
The probability of being absent from work due to illness did not appear to be affected by sex or age. The sectors more at risk for sick absences were the service sector, business and commerce. Inequalities were noted in illness rates to the disadvantage of those who had received redundancy payments in the previous years. New hirings and upward mobility were associated with a lower occurrence of illness. A higher probability of illness was observed in those who had lost their jobs and in those who had changed from full-time to part-time work.


CONCLUSIONS
It is likely that formal regulations and practices in use within INPS vary according to the different economic activities. Therefore this source allows investigation of illness only in activities with homogeneous regulatory aspects. The results confirm a link between unstable work situations and illness and between illness and career advancement.
Filippi
M
M
Ricerche e Progetti R&P, Torino. rep@repnet.it
Villosio
C
C
Mamo
C
C
Costa
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002322:Career Mobility; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*