After employment, job-related fitness requirements vary for law enforcement agencies within North Carolina. Police academies mandate specific job-related fitness requirements for recruits as a condition of graduation. Once employed, little is known about why some law enforcement agencies in North Carolina have physical fitness policies and others do not, particularly when injury rates and healthcare costs continue to rise. To better understand this inconsistency, the current study used a mixed methods approach to examine 6 midsized law enforcement agencies in North Carolina with varying fitness policies. The policy of each agency, along with OSHA work-related injuries and absenteeism reports, were examined quantitatively to determine if a relationship existed between policy and injuries and absenteeism. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc tests found a greater statistical significance between policy levels and injury rates than between policy level and absenteeism rates. An interview with agency personnel qualitatively identified common themed responses to determine whether the utility function of rational choice theory explained fitness policy implementation. It was difficult to determine whether the utilitarian component was the reason behind policy decisions, but data-driven results seemed to serve as an agent of fitness policy decision making. The results contributed to the limited academic literature on this topic although further research recommendations were made. The findings advocate for better officer health and fitness standards to reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries and absenteeism, and reduce health care costs to all involved.

Este estudo abordou a questão do trabalho e do adoecimento em trabalhadores que atuam na área de saúde, notadamente hospitalar. O objetivo foi relacionar as características sociodemográficas, laborais e de saúde dos membros da equipe multiprofissional da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, com a presença de Transtornos Mentais Comuns e a ocorrência de absenteísmo e presenteísmo. O estudo foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CAAE 54868316700005393). Trata-se de pesquisa epidemiológica, correlacional, analítica, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvida com 54 trabalhadores da equipe multiprofissional de saúde de uma UTI Adulto de um hospital universitário público do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Foram utilizados os instrumentos: Stanford Presenteeism Scale SPS6 para investigação do presenteísmo; Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) para a mensuração do nível de suspeição de Transtornos Mentais Comuns e questionário para caracterização dos dados sociodemográficos, laborais e de alterações de saúde dos participantes. As informações sobre o absenteísmo foram obtidas nos bancos de dados do setor de Recursos Humanos da instituição. Os dados foram coletados em 2016. Entre os trabalhadores estudados houve predomínio de mulheres (75,9%), com média de idade de 39,8 anos e em união estável (56%). Em relação às variáveis ocupacionais, 66,7% eram contratados pela Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho; o maior número de participantes era da enfermagem (66,7%) e a maior parte (31,6%) atua no hospital de 6 a 10 anos. No que diz respeito à ocorrência de sintomatologia dos Transtornos Mentais Comuns, entre as mulheres foram encontrados os valores médios de 4,37 e entre os homens 3,85. A alteração de saúde mais comum foi a cefaleia (63,0%). A avaliação do presenteísmo mostrou que 48,7% apresentaram comprometimento no trabalho e 31,8% tiveram a realização e finalização das tarefas alteradas por este fenômeno. Quanto ao absenteísmo, em relação a meta pactuada de 8,50% ao mês, durante todos os meses os valores foram excedentes. Os resultados mais preocupantes referem-se ao presenteísmo e ao absenteísmo, fenômenos que podem ser resultantes de adoecimentos entre os trabalhadores. Diante deste cenário identifica-se que a saúde destes trabalhadores requer atenção, visto que muitos podem estar comparecendo a seus postos de trabalho mesmo doentes, o que pode levá-los a um maior comprometimento físico e mental / This study approached the issue of work and illness in health personnel, which works with healthcare highlights in the hospital. The study\'s goal has been to relate in socio-demographic characteristics, working conditions and also health members of the multidisciplinary team were working at Adult intensive care units (ICU), with the presence of Common Mental Disorders and the occurrence the in Absenteeism and Presenteeism. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE 54868316700005393). It is a epidemiological research, correlacional, analytical, cross with quantitative approach. Developed with 54 workers of the multidisciplinary healthcare team a adult ICU carried out in a university hospital public of the interior of São Paulo State. Which used the following the instruments for data collection: Stanford Presenteeism Scale SPS-6 for research in the Presenteeism Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for the measurement of the level of suspicion of Mental Disorders and a instruments was a semi-structured form aiming to know the reality socio-demographic characteristics, working conditions and also health of those subjects. Information begin Absenteeism data was collected for 12 months were obtained in the databases of the Department of Human Resources of the institution. The data collection in year 2016. Among the study\'s participants, it was observed a female predominance with (75,9%) and an average age of 39,8 years old and steady union (56,0%). Regarding working conditions 66,7% were hired by the Consolidation of Labor Laws; the most reported labor class were the in nurse and most party 31,6 were working at hospital in 6 the in 10 years. With respect to, likelihood of Common Mental Disorders between women average 4,37 and among men was 3,85. The most reported change in the state health was headache (63,0%). Concerning in the Presenteeism 48,7% presented compromised at work and 31,8 % had completion of assigned. In relation to Absenteeism it was observed every months superior tares in the 8,50% as well as. The more important Results was in relation to Absenteeism and Presenteeism phenomena that may result from sicken workers. In face of has been proven that workers health need attention, as well as may be to appearing their working place illness. Witch can do them to major physical and mental impairment

This is an exploratory study that tries to isolate those factors that specifically relate to the poor attendance levels of Aboriginal primary age children. The study took place in the North-West Region of the NSW Department of Education. It was conducted by a member of the Home/School Liaison Team which had been set up to address the problem of non-attendance in NSW schools. After considering both overseas and Australian studies relating to non-attendance at school individual, family and school-based factors were looked at. One school was targeted as a case study and students from other schools in the North-West Region were randomly chosen to participate to attempt to broaden the results. The student and a care provider were interviewed individually and each student's teacher completed a questionnaire and student profile sheet. Where possible, interviewing was performed by an Aboriginal person to allow the interviewee to feel more comfortable. To get further details of school-based factors, all Public Schools in the North-West Region with Aboriginal enrolments were sent questionnaires to be filled in by a staff member in a promotions position and classroom teachers within that school. The major finding of the study was the significance of the previous attendance history of the student, thus indicating the necessity for early intervention if prevention of poor attendance patterns is to occur. The targeting of the beginning years of schooling and the introduction of parent education programs about the importance of these early years are recommended. Other areas found in this study to be related significantly to poor attendance were a competitive class climate, the socio-economic background of parents, parent employment history, parent educational background, single parent families, overcrowding and peer group influences. The study confirmed what many researchers had found: that school absenteeism is a problem with many contributory factors and each student needs to be looked at individually. Each case needs to be dealt with on its own merits.

<p>Bakgrunden till vårt examensarbete var att Försäkringskassan hade som mål att sänka sjukfrånvaron hos personalen. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka de anställdas uppfattning om vilka faktorer som ligger till grund för hög respektive låg sjukfrånvaro vid FK:s avdelning för aktivitetsstöd. Våra frågeställningar var:</p><ul><li>Varför har vissa enheter inom nationellt försäkringscenter på Försäkringskassan låg sjukfrånvaro och andra enheter hög sjukfrånvaro?</li><li>Hur påverkar ledarskapet anställdas sjukfrånvaro?</li><li>Hur påverkar arbetsmiljön sjukfrånvaron?</li><li>Hur uppfattar personalen inom aktivitetsstöd arbetsplatsens fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljö?</li></ul><p>Som fallstudieorganisation valdes Försäkringskassan/Nationellt försäkringscenter/aktivitetsstöd i Östersund.</p><p> </p><p>Vi valde en kvantitativ undersökning med tvärsnittsdesign. Våra resultat visade att oavsett om man arbetade på en enhet med låg eller hög sjukfrånvaro, upplevde många anställda brister i arbetsmiljön, höga krav och ett svagt ledarskap. Ett stort antal anställda kände olust när de gick till arbetet och av dessa var det ett stort antal som misströstade på grund av de svårigheter som de ställs inför på arbetsplatsen. Kände man stöd från chefen hade man mindre sömnsvårigheter, kände mindre olust och mindre muskuloskeletala smärtor.</p> / <p>The background of our thesis is that the Department of Social Insurance (Försäkringskassan) should lower their absenteeism amongst staff. There is a risk of high absenteeism at several units at the Försäkringskassan and a risk of high costs causes by illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the employees´ perception on the basis of high and low sick leave at the Försäkringskassan/ activity benefit. The research questions we asked ourselves were;</p><ul><li>Why do certain units at the Nationellt försäkringscenter/department of Social Insurance have low absenteeism and other units’ high absenteeism?</li><li>How does leadership affect the employees’ absenteeism?</li><li>How much does the satisfaction of work environment affect the employees’ absenteeism?</li><li>How do employees at Nationellt försäkringscenter/activity benefit perceive their physical and psychosocial work environment?</li></ul><p>As a case study organization, the Department of Social Insurance/Nationellt försäkringsccenter/activity benefit has been selected. The results, based on a quantitative survey and a cross-sectional design, show that whether you are working at a unit with low or high absenteeism, many employees have ailments such as pain and stress. This is because the work- environment, requirements and leadership does affect employees’ health. A large number of the employees´ feel dissatisfaction when they go to work and there are many who despair because of the difficulties they face at the workplace. With supported management the employees´ had less insomnia, dissatisfaction and less musculoskeletal disorders.</p>

Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 1993

Bakgrunden till vårt examensarbete var att Försäkringskassan hade som mål att sänka sjukfrånvaron hos personalen. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka de anställdas uppfattning om vilka faktorer som ligger till grund för hög respektive låg sjukfrånvaro vid FK:s avdelning för aktivitetsstöd. Våra frågeställningar var: Varför har vissa enheter inom nationellt försäkringscenter på Försäkringskassan låg sjukfrånvaro och andra enheter hög sjukfrånvaro? Hur påverkar ledarskapet anställdas sjukfrånvaro? Hur påverkar arbetsmiljön sjukfrånvaron? Hur uppfattar personalen inom aktivitetsstöd arbetsplatsens fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljö? Som fallstudieorganisation valdes Försäkringskassan/Nationellt försäkringscenter/aktivitetsstöd i Östersund.   Vi valde en kvantitativ undersökning med tvärsnittsdesign. Våra resultat visade att oavsett om man arbetade på en enhet med låg eller hög sjukfrånvaro, upplevde många anställda brister i arbetsmiljön, höga krav och ett svagt ledarskap. Ett stort antal anställda kände olust när de gick till arbetet och av dessa var det ett stort antal som misströstade på grund av de svårigheter som de ställs inför på arbetsplatsen. Kände man stöd från chefen hade man mindre sömnsvårigheter, kände mindre olust och mindre muskuloskeletala smärtor. / The background of our thesis is that the Department of Social Insurance (Försäkringskassan) should lower their absenteeism amongst staff. There is a risk of high absenteeism at several units at the Försäkringskassan and a risk of high costs causes by illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the employees´ perception on the basis of high and low sick leave at the Försäkringskassan/ activity benefit. The research questions we asked ourselves were; Why do certain units at the Nationellt försäkringscenter/department of Social Insurance have low absenteeism and other units’ high absenteeism? How does leadership affect the employees’ absenteeism? How much does the satisfaction of work environment affect the employees’ absenteeism? How do employees at Nationellt försäkringscenter/activity benefit perceive their physical and psychosocial work environment? As a case study organization, the Department of Social Insurance/Nationellt försäkringsccenter/activity benefit has been selected. The results, based on a quantitative survey and a cross-sectional design, show that whether you are working at a unit with low or high absenteeism, many employees have ailments such as pain and stress. This is because the work- environment, requirements and leadership does affect employees’ health. A large number of the employees´ feel dissatisfaction when they go to work and there are many who despair because of the difficulties they face at the workplace. With supported management the employees´ had less insomnia, dissatisfaction and less musculoskeletal disorders.

Occupational injury and illness rates are used by employers and regulatory agencies to monitor the health and safety of workers. Changes in the rates are interpreted to reflect actions taken or not taken by the employer. The purpose of this study was to delineate external factors, those factors outside the control of employers, which influence occupational injury and illness rates. The results of this study are useful in interpreting changes in the occupational injury and illness rates as a function of changes in the external factors. A review of the literature provided information on the type of external forces which would be expected to influence occupational injury/illness rates. The factors selected for the data analysis included economic indicators, regulatory budget and performance measures, firm size, and leniency in workers' compensation claim determination as measured by the proportion of denied claims. Data were collected on the injury/illness incidence, lost workday case incidence, and lost workday rates for the state of Oregon for 1978 through 1987. Multiple linear regression models were constructed for each of the injury/illness rates using a step-down variable selection process to determine the predictor variables for each model. Separate models were constructed for each dependent variable using the values of the predictor variables for the same year and for the preceding year. The results supported the hypotheses that the unemployment rate, gross state product, number of serious violations cited by OSHA, and percentage of claims denied by the Workers' Compensation Board influence occupational injury and illness rates. Total OSHA expenditures and the number of inspections conducted by OSHA in a given year demonstrated positive relationships with lost workday cases incidence and injury/illness incidence rates, respectively; the positive associations were contrary to the hypothesized relationships. Models can be constructed using data on external factors to predict injury/illness incidence, lost workday case incidence, and lost workday rates. The unemployment rate was the most useful variable in predicting occupational injury and illness rates. / Graduation date: 1991

Studiens syfte är att belysa enhetschefers upplevelser och värderingar av samarbetet med en företagshälsovård angående upprepad korttidsfrånvaro. Kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer användes. Tio enhetschefer i två kommuner intervjuades och resultatet bygger på deras subjektiva upplevelser. I studien framkom att enhetscheferna generellt anser att grundtanken i samarbetet är bra med en bra struktur. Enhetscheferna har sedan länge själva arbetat med den upprepade korttidsfrånvaron och det är även de som bedömer vilka medarbetare som hänvisas till företagshälsovården. Arbetet med korttidsfrånvaron uppges ta mycket tid och enhetscheferna får ofta prioritera detta arbete på bekostnad av andra arbetsuppgifter. Företagshälsovårdens roll uppges vara av rådgivande och vägledande karaktär samt att de ska fungera som ett stöd för cheferna i deras roller. Enhetscheferna uppger att det är svårt att se tydliga resultat, i fråga om minskad korttidsfrånvaro som en konsekvens av samarbetet. / The purpose of this study is to illustrate how unit managers perceive and value collaboration with an occupational health company in the case of repeated short-term absence. Qualitative method with semi-structured interviews was used. Ten unit managers from two municipalities were interviewed and the result is based on their experiences. The study found that the unit managers generally believe that the spirit of cooperation is good and that it has a good structure. The unit managers has been handling the repeated short-term absence on their own for a long time, and they are also the ones who  are assessing which employees are to be referred to occupational health services. This work is said to take a lot of time and the unit managers may, in their role often give priority to the determent of other tasks. The occupational health company’s role is said to be of an advisory and guiding nature and that they will last as a support to the unit managers in their roles. The unit managers find it hard to see any results, in terms of reduced short-term absenteeism, referred to the cooperation.

The overriding theme of my dissertation is the use of short-term weather fluctuations to study how people allocate their time across activities. In Chapter 1, a theoretical model is developed to distinguish malfeasant from legitimate forms of employee sickness absenteeism. In this model, individuals' marginal utility of indoor leisure is increasing in their sickness levels, while their marginal utility of outdoor leisure is an increasing function of the interaction of their health and the quality of outdoor weather. In equilibrium, sickness absenteeism occurs at both ends of the sickness distribution -- among the relatively sick and among the most healthy facing the best weather. The positive relation between marginal changes in weather quality and levels of sickness absenteeism in the workplace reflects the substitution of the inframarginal employees who are the least sick away from work activities towards outdoor leisure activities. The model in Chapter 1 suggests an empirical strategy to identify a shirking component in overall reported sickness absenteeism. Not only does this approach avoid attributing entirely legitimate forms of absenteeism to shirking, but unlike previous studies using employee dismissal rates, it is able to distinguish shirking activity whether or not that activity is detected by employers. In order to exploit exogenous weather fluctuations to identify shirking activity, we need a one-dimensional measure of weather “quality”. The primary objective of Chapter 2 is to construct a weather quality index that captures the influence of the weather on workers' preferences for outdoor leisure activity. The weather quality index takes into account the multifaceted nature of weather conditions, and measures how various weather elements -- temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and cloud cover -- come together to affect the propensity of employees to engage in high-utility outdoor recreational activities. The resulting index provides a ranking of different weather conditions in terms of their outdoor recreational values, which can then be used to capture the incentives of employees to shirk contractual work hours in response to purely exogenous weather changes. Chapter 3 empirically tests the existence of weather-induced substitution between work and outdoor leisure activities and examines how this type of behaviour varies across workers facing different shirking incentives. Linking 12 years of employee data from Canada's monthly Labour Force Survey (LFS), which queries reasons for employees' absences, to weather quality measured using the index constructed in Chapter 2, a clear positive relationship is found between the quality of outside weather conditions and short-term reported sickness absenteeism. Moreover, consistent with a key proposition of the theoretical model in Chapter 1, the empirical relation between weather and sickness absenteeism tends to be larger when existing shirking incentives are low, such as when sick pay is less generous and when probability of getting fired if caught shirking is high. There is, however, little evidence that firms are able to adjust shirking incentives through the payment of efficiency wages. Finally, Chapter 4 examines another type of substitution induced by weather shocks -- the substitution between outdoor and indoor physical activities. The Chapter begins with a theoretical model of the decision to participate in physical activities, which assumes that when adverse weather shocks deter outdoor physical activities, indoor physical activities are the only viable option for individuals to stay physically active. However, because the indoor options are more costly, substituting from outdoor to indoor physical activities is easier for higher-income individuals. This suggests an explanation for the stylized fact that rates of physical activity participation are low among lower socioeconomic groups. Linking time-use data from Canadian General Social Survey with archival weather data, the results of the empirical analysis in this chapter provides evidence of a positive income effect enabling substitution from outdoor to indoor physical activities when outside weather is not conducive for participating in outdoor activities. By exploiting the role that income plays in maintaining physical activity levels when less costly outdoor options are limited, this chapter formally illustrates a credible causal link between people's income levels and their participation in leisure time physical activities and provides direct evidence of this link. The results have important policy implications for promoting physical activities, especially among lower income population.