OBJECTIVES: Young adults entering employment are a key group in extending work careers, but there is a lack of research on trends in work ability among young employees. Prolonged sickness absence (SA) constitutes a risk for permanent work disability. We examined 12-year trends in SA spells among young female and male municipal employees. METHODS: The data were obtained from the employers' registers in the City of Helsinki, Finland. The data included employees aged 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, and 35-54 from 2002 to 2013 (the average number for each year was 31,600). Self-certified (1-3 days) and medically certified intermediate (4-14 days) and long (15+ days) SAs were examined. Joinpoint regression models were used to identify major changes in SA trends. RESULTS: Younger employees had more short SAs but fewer long SAs than older employees. During the study period, SAs of almost any length first increased and later decreased among both genders, except for young men. The turning points for short SA were in 2007-2011 among younger and older employees. In intermediate and long SAs the respective turning points were in 2008-2009 and 2005-2009. Women had more SAs in all categories. CONCLUSIONS: Age is related to the length of absences. Given the relatively low chronic morbidity among younger employees, it is likely that reasons other than ill health account for increased SA. More evidence on factors behind the changing trends is needed in order to reduce SA and extend the working careers of young people.
OBJECTIVES: Young adults entering employment are a key group in extending work careers, but there is a lack of research on trends in work ability among young employees. Prolonged sickness absence (SA) constitutes a risk for permanent work disability. We examined 12-year trends in SA spells among young female and male municipal employees. METHODS: The data were obtained from the employers' registers in the City of Helsinki, Finland. The data included employees aged 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, and 35-54 from 2002 to 2013 (the average number for each year was 31,600). Self-certified (1-3 days) and medically certified intermediate (4-14 days) and long (15+ days) SAs were examined. Joinpoint regression models were used to identify major changes in SA trends. RESULTS: Younger employees had more short SAs but fewer long SAs than older employees. During the study period, SAs of almost any length first increased and later decreased among both genders, except for young men. The turning points for short SA were in 2007-2011 among younger and older employees. In intermediate and long SAs the respective turning points were in 2008-2009 and 2005-2009. Women had more SAs in all categories. CONCLUSIONS: Age is related to the length of absences. Given the relatively low chronic morbidity among younger employees, it is likely that reasons other than ill health account for increased SA. More evidence on factors behind the changing trends is needed in order to reduce SA and extend the working careers of young people.
Authors: Minna Pihlajamäki; Heikki Arola; Heini Ahveninen; Jyrki Ollikainen; Mikko Korhonen; Tapio Nummi; Jukka Uitti; Simo Taimela Journal: Prev Med Rep Date: 2020-04-22
Authors: Tea Lallukka; Erkki Kronholm; Johanna Pekkala; Sauli Jäppinen; Jenni Blomgren; Olli Pietiläinen; Eero Lahelma; Ossi Rahkonen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2019-10-30 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Hilla Sumanen; Jaakko Harkko; Kustaa Piha; Olli Pietilainen; Ossi Rahkonen; Anne Kouvonen Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-11-27 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Gerrit Stassen; Christopher Grieben; Ingo Froböse; Andrea Schaller Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-25 Impact factor: 3.390