Physical, psychological, and organisational work factors at baseline, by the incidence proportion of sickness absence during the successive three months
| Work characteristics at baseline | n | Sickness absence, n (row %) |
|---|---|---|
| *p<0.05 | ||
| **p<0.01 | ||
| ***p<0.001; p values for the overall variables (scales). | ||
| †Times per average shift. | ||
| Quantitative work demand | ||
| 1 (lowest quintile) | 1137 | 318 (28.0) |
| 2 | 581 | 175 (30.1) |
| 3 | 1197 | 371 (31.0) |
| 4 | 1134 | 366 (32.3) |
| 5 | 815 | 292 (35.8)** |
| Frequency of lifting, carrying, or pushing heavy objects† | ||
| 0 | 1288 | 411 (31.9) |
| 1–4 | 2529 | 772 (30.5) |
| 5–9 | 509 | 155 (30.5) |
| 10 or more | 231 | 92 (39.8)* |
| The extent to which the work required physical endurance | ||
| Never or very seldom | 288 | 90 (31.3) |
| Rather seldom | 432 | 122 (28.2) |
| Sometimes | 1193 | 342 (28.7) |
| Rather often | 1527 | 487 (31.9) |
| Very often or always | 1367 | 464 (33.9)* |
| Personal control over decisions at work | ||
| 1 (lowest quintile) | 679 | 249 (36.7) |
| 2 | 1469 | 467 (31.8) |
| 3 | 747 | 228 (30.5) |
| 4 | 640 | 195 (30.5) |
| 5 | 1316 | 381 (29.0)* |
| Personal control over work pace | ||
| 1 (lowest quintile) | 727 | 260 (35.8) |
| 2 | 1331 | 415 (31.2) |
| 3 | 799 | 243 (30.4) |
| 4 | 1250 | 387 (31.0) |
| 5 | 751 | 216 (28.8)* |
| Fairness of the immediate superior’s leadership | ||
| 1 (lowest quintile) | 1080 | 399 (36.9) |
| 2 | 502 | 171 (34.1) |
| 3 | 1479 | 407 (27.5) |
| 4 | 540 | 150 (27.8) |
| 5 | 1255 | 396 (31.6)*** |
| Support from the immediate superior | ||
| 1 (lowest quintile) | 833 | 300 (36.0) |
| 2 | 1280 | 414 (32.3) |
| 3 | 683 | 207 (30.3) |
| 4 | 960 | 258 (26.9) |
| 5 | 1101 | 343 (31.2)** |
| Rewards for good work | ||
| Not at all/very little | 2004 | 697 (34.8) |
| Rather little | 849 | 256 (30.2) |
| Some | 1139 | 329 (28.9) |
| Rather much | 651 | 180 (27.6) |
| Very much | 154 | 41 (26.6)** |
| Encouraging and supportive culture in the work unit | ||
| Not at all/very little | 71 | 40 (56.3) |
| Rather little | 281 | 124 (44.1) |
| To some extent | 1131 | 356 (31.5) |
| Rather much | 1987 | 601 (30.2) |
| Very much | 1285 | 361 (28.1)*** |
| Suspicious culture in the work unit | ||
| Not at all/very little | 2511 | 764 (30.4) |
| Rather little | 1310 | 383 (29.2) |
| To some extent | 587 | 212 (36.1) |
| Rather much | 116 | 44 (37.9) |
| Very much | 43 | 17 (39.5)** |
| Relaxing and pleasant culture in the work unit | ||
| Not at all/very little | 158 | 66 (41.8) |
| Rather little | 378 | 146 (38.6) |
| To some extent | 1196 | 390 (32.6) |
| Rather much | 1967 | 569 (28.9) |
| Very much | 943 | 278 (29.5)*** |
| Level of role conflicts at work | ||
| 1 (lowest quintile) | 774 | 217 (28.0) |
| 2 | 1149 | 317 (27.6) |
| 3 | 776 | 245 (31.6) |
| 4 | 1394 | 447 (32.1) |
| 5 | 753 | 293 (38.9)*** |
| Threats or violence at work (previous 2 years) | ||
| Never or very seldom | 2981 | 882 (29.6) |
| Rather seldom | 624 | 195 (31.3) |
| Sometimes | 816 | 286 (35.0) |
| Rather often | 342 | 117 (34.2) |
| Very often | 96 | 40 (41.7)** |
| Harassment at work (previous 6 months) | ||
| No | 4646 | 1432 (30.8) |
| Yes | 209 | 87 (41.6)** |