Introduction The literature consistently shows that work-life interference, i.e. the multiple burden of having different social roles, e.g. being a worker, parent, partner and friend is associated with poor health. However, few studies have studied the relationship between measures of work-life interference and objective measures of sickness absence.

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate work-life interference as a risk factor for subsequent long-term sickness absence.

Methods Data were derived from four (2010–2016) waves of the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health. Data were linked to register data on long-term sickness absence (having at least one continuous period of medically certified sick leave exceeding 14 days) from the Swedish social insurance agency. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with odds ratios (OR) and confidence interval of 95% was used. The sample included 15 244 individuals (43.1% men and 56.9% women).

Results Almost one fifth of the sample, 18.7% (1110) started at least one period of long-term sickness absence at any point between first wave 2010 and two years after the last wave up to year 2018. Of those 1100, 43.9% were men and 56.1% were women. Results show that work-life interference is associated with an increased risk for subsequent long-term sickness absence (OR: 1.55; 95% CI=1.44–1.67) even when adjusting for general health (OR=1.39; 95% CI=1.29–1.51) and other relevant factors (gender, having children living at home, having a partner, socioeconomic position, management position and age). We found no significant moderating effect of gender nor of time.

Conclusion We conclude that work-life interference is a risk factor for subsequent long-term sickness absence for working men and women in Sweden. From a public health perspective, improving possibilities to balance demands between work and private life can reduce risks of long-term sickness absence.