Longitudinal study on the determinants and consequences of presenteeism

Longitudinal study on the determinants and consequences of presenteeism E M M de Vroome, PG W Smulders & I L D Houtman, Gedrag & Orgaritsatie, volume 23, September 2010, nr 3, pp 194-212 In a longitudinal cross-lagged study, the determinants and consequences were examined of presenteeism (going to work despite feeling unhealthy) All variables were measured with questionnaires in 2002 and in 2004 among a representative Dutch sample (N = 653), and these data were individually and longitudinally matched In 2002 as well as in 2004, approximately 60% reported presenteeism. 212 In this study, no effects of job demands were confirmed. Emotional exhaustion was found to be an important determinant of later sickness absence and later presenteeism, and sickness absence also had a direct effect on later presenteeism However, the relationship between presenteeism and sickness absence was not found to be reciprocal This implies that emotional exhaustion lies at the base of both sickness absence and presenteeism, and emotional exhaustion may serve as an important target to reduce sickness absence as well as presenteeism