Search results

1

Consequences of sickness presence and sickness absence on health and work ability: A Swedish prospective cohort study

100%

Gustafsson K., Marklund S.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2011

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vol. 24

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issue 2

153-165

EN

Objective: To determine whether self-reported sickness presence (SP) and self-reported sickness absence (SA) are specific risk factors for future health problems or reduced work ability in the active workforce. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of a cohort based on a random sample (n = 2181) with data for 2004, 2005, and 2006. The subjects were employees aged from 25 to 50 years in 2004. Cross-tabulations were calculated to identify significant background factors (sex, age, education, socioeconomic position), work factors (work demands, control, adjustment latitude), and outcome factors. Block-wise multiple logistic regression analyses were performed for outcome factors (SP, SA, self-rated health, physical complaints, work ability, mental well-being). Results: SA and SP were found to have negative health consequences; this was particularly pronounced for those with frequent SP or SA. There was a dose-response relationship between the degree of SA, SP and the different health outcomes. The health risks remained, after control for background factors, prior working conditions and initial health. SP also appeared to lead to SA, whereas SA did not have a significant impact on future SP. Conclusions: The results suggest that both SP and SA are strong predictors of future poor health, physical complaints, low mental well-being and low work ability. The detrimental influence of frequent SP was most pronounced in relation to work ability and physical complaints, although all of the measured health factors were affected. The negative effects of SA on the different health outcomes were similar.

2

Sickness presence, sick leave and adjustment latitude

100%

Gerich J.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2014

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vol. 27

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issue 5

736-746

EN

Objectives: Previous research on the association between adjustment latitude (defined as the opportunity to adjust work efforts in case of illness) and sickness absence and sickness presence has produced inconsistent results. In particular, low adjustment latitude has been identified as both a risk factor and a deterrent of sick leave. The present study uses an alternative analytical strategy with the aim of joining these results together. Material and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a random sample of employees covered by the Upper Austrian Sickness Fund (N = 930) was analyzed. Logistic and ordinary least square (OLS) regression models were used to examine the association between adjustment latitude and days of sickness absence, sickness presence, and an estimator for the individual sickness absence and sickness presence propensity. Results: A high level of adjustment latitude was found to be associated with a reduced number of days of sickness absence and sickness presence, but an elevated propensity for sickness absence. Conclusions: Employees with high adjustment latitude experience fewer days of health complaints associated with lower rates of sick leave and sickness presence compared to those with low adjustment latitude. In case of illness, however, high adjustment latitude is associated with a higher probability of taking sick leave rather than sickness presence.

3

Chronic diseases are strongly associated with sickness absences in a sample of Italian public employees

100%

Casimirri E., Vaccari A., Schito M., Bonci M., Stendardo M., Stefanati A., Nardini M., Boschetto P.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2014

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vol. 27

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issue 3

343-354

EN

Objectives: Data on the prevalence of chronic diseases and their relationship with sickness absence in the Italian public employees are rather scarce. Therefore, in the first place, we assessed the distribution of chronic diseases in the employees of the University of Ferrara. As a next step, we investigated the possible associations between each chronic disease and cumulative days of all-cause sickness absence, and finally we investigated the odds ratio of each single chronic disease on sickness absence. Material and Methods: A total of 514 employees, 269 sick-listed and 245 not sick-listed in 2012, were studied. Demographical/clinical characteristics and chronic diseases were obtained from all study participants during medical surveillance procedures. Sickness absence days and job seniority data were obtained from the administrative office. Results: Gastrointestinal and psychiatric diseases were the most reported in the sick-listed sample (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively, compared to the not sick-listed). In the interquantile regression analysis, the sickness absence days were as - sociated with psychiatric diseases (β = 65.1, 95% CI: 13.2-117.1, p = 0.01) and with the presence of 2 or more chronic diseases (β = 23.3, 95% CI: 4.5-42, p = 0.02). Furthermore, the logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of sickness absence were increased 2 fold by psychiatric diseases (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.01-4.93, p = 0.04), and gastrointestinal diseases (OR = 1.9, 95% CI:1.07-3.42, p = 0.02) and, to a lesser extent, by high body mass index (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1-1.11, p = 0.03). Conversely, female gender reduced by half the odds of sickness absence (OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This study highlights the relevant association between chronic diseases and sickness absence in Italian public employees. Our findings indicate the importance of considering the health status when designing preventive interventions aimed at decreasing sickness absences in this population.

4

Absentyzm chorobowy- aspekty prawne i ekonomiczne

86%

Jurek Ł.

Praca i Zabezpieczenie Społeczne

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2021

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issue 11

19-28

EN

While illness and work-inability random events, independent from the human will, the sickness absence it a result of conscious decisions. Employees vary in its use. The subject of interest in the article is sickness absenteeism, so the phenomenon of the overuse of sickness leaves, that is medically unjustified. Basing on the literature and results of previous research the essence of this problem have been presented, as well as its types and determinants. Sickness absence, like any other social privilege, is a field of potential abuse. Excessive use of sick leaves may take two forms: moral hazard or welfare fraud. Intensity of these problems depends on the number of factors within individual characteristics of worker, features of working environment, and a broad social and institutional context. We investigated those factors and identified dozen of them.

PL

O ile choroba i związana z nią niezdolność do pracy są zdarzeniami losowymi, niezależnymi od woli człowieka, o tyle absencja chorobowa jest efektem świadomych i rozmyślnych decyzji. Pracownicy różnią się pod względem jej wykorzystania. Przedmiotem artykułu jest absentyzm chorobowy, czyli zjawisko nadużywania absencji chorobowej. Bazując na literaturze przedmiotu i wynikach dotychczas przeprowadzonych badań, autor przedstawia istotę tego problemu, jego rodzaje oraz uwarunkowania. Absencja chorobowa, jak każdy inny przywilej socjalny, jest polem potencjalnych nadużyć. Nadmierne wykorzystywanie zwolnień lekarskich może przyjmować dwojaką postać: pokusy nadużyć oraz przestępstwa socjalnego. Nasileniu występowania tych problemów sprzyjają różne okoliczności, związane z osobistymi cechami pracownika, warunkami środowiska pracy, a także szerokim kontekstem społecznym i instytucjonalnym. Autor wskazuje, że w ramach przeprowadzonych prac badawczych udało się wyodrębnić kilkanaście takich okoliczności, dzięki czemu można skuteczniej zidentyfikować potencjalne nadużycia.

5

Social costs of loss in productivity-related absenteeism in Poland

86%

Genowska A., Fryc J., Pinkas J., Jamiołkowski J., Szafraniec K., Szpak A., Bojar I.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2016

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vol. 30

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issue 6

917-932

EN

Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate indirect costs associated with losses in productivity due to sickness absence among registered workers in Poland. Material and Methods Data on sick leave durations in 2013 was obtained from the Social Insurance Institution (SII) (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych – ZUS). Based on the number of assumptions, this data was used for calculating absence durations. The costs of lost productivity were estimated on the basis of the measure of gross value added. Results Estimated losses in productivity due to absenteeism in 2013 together accounted for 4.33% of gross domestic product (GDP) (17.09 billion euro). In the female population, the total value of losses amounted to 9.66 billion euro, but excluding the costs of pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium (2.96 billion euro), it was 6.7 billion euro. In the male population, the loss amounted to 7.43 billion euro. The highest overall costs of sickness absence based on age were found in the age group of 30–39 years (5.14 billion euro, including pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium – 1.474 billion euro; respiratory diseases – 0.632 billion euro, injuries and poisonings – 0.62 billion euro). In the group of people aged > 40 years, the highest cost was generated by bone-muscular diseases (1.553 billion euro) and injuries and poisoning (1.251 billion euro). Higher losses in the productivity of women in addition to pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium were due to mental and behavioral disorders (0.71 billion euro), diseases of the genitourinary system (0.38 billion euro), and neoplasms (0.35 billion euro). At the same time, in men, compared to women, we observed higher losses due to injuries and poisoning (1.65 billion euro), and diseases of musculoskeletal (1.26 billion euro), nervous (0.79 billion euro), circulatory (0.65 billion euro), and digestive (0.41 billion euro) systems. Conclusions Improvement and further development of effective strategies for prevention of complications of pregnancy and chronic diseases in the workplace are necessary. Policies aimed at reduction of sickness absence could potentially increase prosperity and the socioeconomic situation in Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):917–932

6

Health status of long-term sick leave and working female teachers in Germany: A cross-sectional study

86%

Brütting J., Druschke D., Spitzer S., Seibt R.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2017

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vol. 31

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issue 2

227-242

EN

Objectives: Limited research on the health situation of teachers on long-term sick leave is available. The aim of this study has been to describe the health status of female teachers on long-term sick leave (LSFT) in comparison to working female teachers (WFT) and to determine predictors for their state of mental health (MH) and cardiovascular fitness (CF). Material and Methods: Twenty-eight LSFT and 300 WFT (average age: 53±5 years old) participated in a screening diagnostic inventory. Mental health, CF, blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), health behavior (smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity) and disease burden (DB – number of medical diagnoses) were analyzed for the purpose of characterization of the health status. The multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for the state of MH and CF. Results: Adverse values for the MH but also for CF, BFM and the DB (median of medical diagnoses: LSFT: 5; WFT: 2) among the LSFT in comparison to the WFT were confirmed. Additionally, the part of smokers among LSFT (25%) was higher (WFT: 8%). In contrast, the WFT (61%) were much more affected by an elevated BP (LSFT: 26%). Disease burden proved as the strongest predictor for MH of the female teachers. Age, BMI and DB proved as predictors for CF. Conclusions: Health-related differences between long-term sick leave and working teachers were particularized and a link between physical and mental health among teachers was quantified. Therefore, health-related concepts for teachers should equally focus on physical and psychological aspects. The relevance of regular well-structured occupational health check-ups should be brought to the attention of the profession to prevent diseases and early retirements. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):227–242

7

A panel study of sickness presence and sickness absence among secondary school students

86%

Johansen V.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2019

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vol. 32

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issue 6

797-804

EN

Objectives This article investigates sickness presence among secondary school students in 5 European countries. The research questions asked are: What characterizes students with high sickness presence in secondary schools? Does high sickness presence influence future sickness absence? Material and Methods A group of 7008 students aged 16–19 years participated in the first study (2016), and 5002 of them also participated in the follow-up study (2017). The participants came from 25 schools in Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Italy and Latvia. The response rate was high. A multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis was used. Results In 2016 high sickness presence (≥ 5 incidents) was reported by 16% of the students, and in 2017 by 15% of them. In 2016 there were significant differences between countries, and students from Latvia were most likely to report high sickness presence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.45). Students with high absence (aOR = 1.86) and high school motivation (aOR = 1.16, for 1 pt increase on a 5-point scale) were overrepresented among those reporting high sickness presence. Country, absence and motivation were also significant factors for sickness presence in 2017. Furthermore, there was a significant positive association between high sickness presence and high sickness absence the following year. Conclusions Country, absence, and motivation were important factors for high sickness presence in secondary schools. Engaging in high sickness presence seemed to influence future sickness absence. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(6):797–804

8

Endometriosis – The challenge for occupational life of diagnosed women: A review of quantitative studies

81%

Andysz A., Jacukowicz A., Merecz-Kot D., Najder A.

Medycyna Pracy

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2018

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vol. 69

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issue 6

663-671

EN

The aim of the article was to summarize the results offered in the research on occupational functioning of women with endometriosis. We followed PRISMA guidelines. Database search was done in November 2017 using EBSCO. In the review were included the articles clearly referring to the relationships between endometriosis and work or any aspect of work (e.g., work productivity, work ability, absenteeism). Eight papers were included in the final review. Seven studies were cross-sectional, 1 retrospective. The majority of researchers used standardized research measures, such as Work Ability Index, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire or Health Related Productivity Questionnaire. Only in 2 studies the reference group was considered, one of them consisted of healthy women. The results clearly indicate that endometriosis is a disease that causes major disturbance in occupational functioning of the suffering women. In the future the researchers should search for individual and organizational correlates of the improvement of occupational functioning in this group of patients. The methodology of the existing studies has been evaluated and the methodological cues for future research has been given. Med Pr 2018;69(6):663–671

9

Prezenteizm – zjawisko nieefektywnej obecności w pracy

72%

Malińska M.

Medycyna Pracy

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2013

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vol. 64

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issue 3

439-447

EN

Presenteeism, defined as going to work despite feeling ill, is a relatively new problem. This phenomenon is discussed in several aspects: health, social or labor productivity. In his article the analysis of the literature concerning the problem of non-effective presence at work is presented, paying particular attention to the definition of presenteeism, the reasons for it is creation, as well as its relationship with sickness absence and the prevalence of such diseases as allergy, depression, migraine / headaches, arthritis or gastrointestinal disorders and work environment. Bearing in mind that presenteeism is one of the biggest financial and social burden, in the final part of this article an attempt was made to estimate economical costs generated by this phenomenon. Med Pr 2013;64(3):439–447

PL

Zjawisko nieefektywnej obecności w pracy (presenteeism), definiowane jako przyjście do pracy pomimo choroby, jest stosunkowo nowym zagadnieniem. Zjawisko to rozważane jest w wielu aspektach - zdrowotnym, społecznym czy wydajności pracy. W artykule przedstawiono analizę piśmiennictwa w zakresie problemu nieefektywnej obecności w pracy. Omówiono dostępne w literaturze definicje zjawiska, zwrócono uwagę na przyczyny jego powstawania, a także związki z absencją chorobową i występowaniem takich chorób, jak alergia, depresja, migrena / bóle głowy, zapalenie stawów czy problemy żołądkowo-jelitowe. Ponieważ nieefektywna obecność w pracy uznawana jest za jedno z największych obciążeń finansowych i społecznych, w ostatniej części pracy podjęto się próby oszacowania kosztów ekonomicznych, jakie generuje. Med. Pr. 2013;64(3):439–447

10

Sickness absence of steel industry workers in the lost work time

72%

Gajdzik B.

Organizacja i Zarządzanie : kwartalnik naukowy

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2017

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vol. nr 3

43--55

EN

The article is a continuation of the issue of managing worker absence (Gajdzik, 2015). Theoretical considerations were supplemented with statistical data about sickness absences of workers in the steel industry. The timespan analysis covers the years 2000-2015. The share of absence in the lost work time was determined on the basis of the number of sickness absence hours. The issue of unplanned employee absenteeism is part of the human resource management and work time management in an enterprise.

11

Ubezpieczenie chorobowe. Okresowa niezdolność do pracy osób ubezpieczonych w 2022 r.

72%

Uścińska G.

Zabezpieczenie Społeczne. Teoria, Prawo, Praktyka

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2022

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vol. XI

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issue 16

9-16

EN

Since 2010, the expenditure on benefits related to temporary incapacity for work has increased significantly. Their share of the overall expenditure of the Social Insurance Fund has also increased. The sickness fund has been in deficit for over a decade, which requires complementary financing from the government budget. Sickness insurance contributions currently cover less than three fourth of expenses on benefits from the sickness fund. The number of medical certificates of temporary incapacity for work (sick notes) is increasing. The article presents information on selected aspects of sickness absence of persons insured in the Social Insurance Institution in 2022. Information on electronic sick notes was chosen as the starting point, which are of key importance for the ability to monitor and analyse the number, scale and causes of temporary incapacity for work. Changes in the number and length of issued e-ZLA and the most common groups of diseases, including diseases related to COVID-19, were indicated. Information on the costs of sickness absence and their dynamics is presented. The data on the inspection of the use of sick leaves were quoted.

PL

Od 2010 r. wydatki na świadczenia z ubezpieczenia chorobowego, w tym związane z okresową niezdolnością do pracy, znacząco wzrastają. Zwiększa się też ich udział w strukturze ogółu wydatków Funduszu Ubezpieczeń Społecznych. Fundusz chorobowy od ponad dekady pozostaje deficytowy. Składki pokrywają mniej ni mniej niż 3/4 wydatków na świadczenia z tego funduszu. Wzrasta liczba zaświadcze lekarskich o okresowej niezdolności do pracy (e-ZLA). W artykule przedstawiono informacje ilustrujące wybrane aspekty absencji chorobowej osób ubezpieczonych w ZUS w 2022 r. Za punkt wyjścia wybrano informacje o e-ZLA, które mają kluczowe znaczenie dla możliwości monitorowania liczby, skali i przyczyn okresowej niezdolności do pracy. Wskazano zmiany dotyczące liczby i długości wystawianych e-ZLA oraz najczęściej występujące grupy chorób; w tym choroby związane z COVID-19. P. Przedstawiono informacje o kosztach absencji chorobowej i ich dynamice. Przytoczono dane dotyczące kontroli korzystania ze zwolnień lekarskich.

12

Zaburzenia depresyjne pracujących Polaków w okresie pandemii COVID-19 (lata 2019–2022)

58%

Żołnierczyk-Zreda D.

Medycyna Pracy

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2023

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vol. 74

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issue 1

41-51

EN

Background The problem of the intensification of mental disorders, including depressive disorders, is well documented in the world, but in Poland data on this subject are still insufficient. It can be assumed that the worldwide increase in mental health problems resulting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the winter of 2019 could also change the current statistics with regard to depressive disorders occurring in Poland. Material and Methods Longitudinal studies diagnosing depressive disorders were carried out on a representative group of 1112 Poles working in various occupations, employed on the basis of various types of employment contracts in the period January–February 2021, and a year later. During the first measurement of depressive disorders, the respondents were also asked to retrospectively assess the severity of these disorders in the early autumn of 2019, i.e., 6 months before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was diagnosed using the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 (PHQ-9). Results The results of the research presented in the article indicate a significant increase in the level of depression among working Poles in the period 2019–2022, as well as an exacerbation of the severity of its symptoms, probably resulting from the outbreak of the pandemic. However, in the years 2021–2022, a growing level of depression was observed only among working women, less educated people, people engaged in physical and mental work, as well as people with less stable employment (temporary work contracts, specific-task contracts and fixed-term contracts). Conclusions Due to the high individual, organizational and social costs that generate depressive disorders, there is an urgent need to develop a comprehensive depression prevention strategy, including programs to prevent these disorders in the workplace. This need applies in particular to working women, people with lower social capital and those with less stable type of employment. Med Pr. 2023;74(1)

PL

Wstęp Chociaż na świecie problem intensyfikacji zaburzeń psychicznych, w tym zaburzeń depresyjnych, jest dobrze udokumentowany, to w Polsce dane na ten temat są ciągle niewystarczające. Można przypuszczać, że powszechnie opisywany na świecie wzrost problemów ze zdrowiem psychicznym wynikający z wybuchu pandemii COVID-19 w zimie 2019 r. mógł także zmienić dotychczasowe statystyki w odniesieniu do zaburzeń depresyjnych występujących w Polsce. Materiał i metody Badania podłużne diagnozujące zaburzenia depresyjne przeprowadzono w styczniu i lutym 2021 r. oraz rok później w reprezentatywnej grupie 1112 pracujących w różnych zawodach Polaków zatrudnionych na podstawie różnych rodzajów umów o pracę. W trakcie I pomiaru zaburzeń depresyjnych badanych proszono także o to, aby retrospektywnie ocenili nasilenie tych zaburzeń wczesną jesienią 2019 r., czyli 6 miesięcy przed wybuchem pandemii COVID-19. Depresję diagnozowano za pomocą kwestionariusza Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 (PHQ-9). Wyniki Uzyskane wyniki wskazują na istotny wzrost poziomu depresji wśród pracujących Polaków w latach 2019–2022 r., a także na zaostrzenie ciężkości jej objawów, wynikających prawdopodobnie z wybuchu pandemii. W latach 2021–2022 rosnący poziom depresji zaobserwowano jedynie wśród pracujących kobiet, osób mniej wykształconych, wykonujących pracę fizyczną lub fizyczno-umysłową, a także osób o mniej stabilnym zatrudnieniu (na umowach na pracę tymczasową, umowach o dzieło / zlecenie oraz umowach na czas określony). Wnioski Z uwagi na wysokie koszty zarówno jednostkowe, jak i organizacyjne i społeczne, które są generowane przez zaburzenia depresyjne, istnieje pilna konieczność opracowania kompleksowej strategii przeciwdziałania depresji, w tym programów zapobiegania tym zaburzeniom w miejscu pracy. Potrzeba ta dotyczy szczególnie pracujących kobiet oraz osób o niższym kapitale społecznym i takich, których charakter zatrudnienia jest mniej stabilny. Med. Pr. 2023;74(1)

13

Rodzaj umowy o pracę a zdrowie i funkcjonowanie zawodowe pracowników – przegląd badań

58%

Żołnierczyk-Zreda D.

Medycyna Pracy

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2015

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vol. 66

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issue 4

565-573

EN

From over 2 decades intensive research concerning temporary workers has been carried out in Europe and outside Europe. Despite having the highest rate of temporary workers in Europe, the studies on this topic are very rare in Poland. The aim of the study was to review the existing research on the relations between temporary work and employees’ health and occupational functioning. The main conclusion from this review is that there is a significant inconsistency between the results of the studies included in this review due to such factors as heterogeneity of the group “temporary workers,” cultural and generational differences between temporary workers, as well as different economic context in which those studies had been carried out. The main recommendations for the future research is thus to take into account the personal preferences for performing temporary work and to use more complex study design. Med Pr 2015;66(4):565–573

PL

Od ponad 2 dekad na świecie prowadzone są intensywne badania na temat różnych aspektów funkcjonowania pracowników zatrudnionych na umowach terminowych. Mimo że w Polsce występuje najwyższy w Europie odsetek takich pracowników, badania na temat tej grupy osób są w naszym kraju rzadkością. Celem artykułu był przegląd światowych badań dotyczących związku między rodzajem umowy o pracę a zdrowiem i funkcjonowaniem zawodowym pracowników. Podstawowym wnioskiem z przeglądu jest duża rozbieżność wyników dotyczących wyżej wymienionych zagadnień. Uważa się, że powodem tej rozbieżności może być heterogeniczność grupy „pracownicy tymczasowi”, różnice kulturowe i pokoleniowe, a także kontekst ekonomiczny, w którym prowadzone były badania. Jednym z podstawowych wskazań dla przyszłych badań jest zastosowanie kryterium zgodności rodzaju zatrudnienia (umowy o pracę) z osobistymi preferencjami pracownika, a także stosowanie bardziej skomplikowanych schematów badawczych. Med. Pr. 2015;66(4):565–573

Refine search results

Consequences of sickness presence and sickness absence on health and work ability: A Swedish prospective cohort study

Sickness presence, sick leave and adjustment latitude

Chronic diseases are strongly associated with sickness absences in a sample of Italian public employees

Absentyzm chorobowy- aspekty prawne i ekonomiczne

Social costs of loss in productivity-related absenteeism in Poland

Health status of long-term sick leave and working female teachers in Germany: A cross-sectional study

A panel study of sickness presence and sickness absence among secondary school students

Endometriosis – The challenge for occupational life of diagnosed women: A review of quantitative studies

Prezenteizm – zjawisko nieefektywnej obecności w pracy

Sickness absence of steel industry workers in the lost work time

Ubezpieczenie chorobowe. Okresowa niezdolność do pracy osób ubezpieczonych w 2022 r.

Zaburzenia depresyjne pracujących Polaków w okresie pandemii COVID-19 (lata 2019–2022)

Rodzaj umowy o pracę a zdrowie i funkcjonowanie zawodowe pracowników – przegląd badań