It depends on the young females. En studie om sykefravær, ansettelsesforhold og arbeidsmiljø

Abstract

Background: municipal employees at NAV Tromsø had in the period 2010-2013 twice as high sick leave as the state employees. Purpose: to find factors that can contribute to the understanding of the difference in sick leave. Method: The study was a survey from May 2013, where all the employees was invited to answer questions about their own background, sick-leave, codetermination, work pressure, social work environment, organizational climate and their own reflection about the differences in sick-leave. Result: The response rate was 85 % with state employees and 83 % with the municipal employees. The men had the lowest proportion of sick leave in all categories. There was a big age difference between the groups. On the state side 26.9% was 40 years and younger and 67.6% with the municipal. When the data were adjusted for gender and age, the difference in self-reported absence between groups disappeared. The analysis showed that municipal employees experienced climate as less relaxed, more competitive and distrustful, even when controlling for age. The state employees thought the difference was due to work pressure, unpredictability, double work with home / work, users, short deadlines, codetermination, leadership, culture and the proportion of women. The municipal employees thought the difference was due to work pressure, unpredictability, organization, double work with home/work, pregnancy and recognition from colleagues and management. Overall in the study there were tendencies that work pressure were considered higher than participation and reward. Conclusion: The study showed that the main reasons for the difference in absence were gender and age. The municipal employees had a majority of women and were younger than their state counterparts. There was a tendency that the municipal employees had more long-term absence. It also appears that they experienced a lack of recognition for the work they do.