Sickness and sickness absence of remaining employees in a time of economic crisis: a study among employees of municipalities in Iceland

Social Science & Medicine
Hjördís Sigursteinsdóttir, Gudbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir

Abstract

This article focuses on sickness and sickness absence among employees of 20 municipalities in Iceland who remained at work after the economic crisis in October 2008. The aim was to examine the impact of economic crisis on sickness and sickness absence of "survivors" working within the educational system (primary school teachers and kindergarten teachers) and the care services (elderly care and care of disabled people) operated by the municipalities. The study was based on mixed methods research comprising a balanced panel data set and focus groups. An online survey conducted three times among 2356 employees of 20 municipalities and seven focus group interviews in two municipalities (39 participants). The generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze the quantitative data, and focused coding was used to analyze the qualitative data. The main finding showed that the economic crisis had negative health implications for the municipal employees. The negative effects grew stronger over time. Employee sickness and sickness absence increased substantially in both downsized and non-downsized workplaces. However, employees of downsized workplaces were more likely to be sick. Sickness and sickness absence were more common am...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 15, 2016·International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation·Marina KaranikolosHelena Legido-Quigley
Sep 29, 2018·The International Journal of Health Planning and Management·Nazim HabibovLida Fan
Jan 26, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Michael R Frone, Ann-Renee Blais
Jul 10, 2016·The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·A OkeD Antai
Apr 5, 2017·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Hjördís SigursteinsdóttirGudbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir
Oct 4, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Hjordis SigursteinsdottirGudbjorg Andrea Jonsdottir
Feb 23, 2021·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·C A VivianiH I Castellucci
Jun 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Martin Sanchez-GomezNicola Mucci

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