Attending Work While Sick: Implication of Flexible Sick Leave Policies

Rousculp, Matthew D.; Johnston, Stephen S.; Palmer, Liisa; Chu, Bong Chul; Mahadevia, Parthiv J.; Nichol, Kristin L.

doi:10.1097/jom.0b013e3181f43844

Cited by 26 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…Among the excluded studies, 10 included workplace closure and one did not include a “no intervention” comparator [ 16 – 26 ]. Fifteen studies, representing three epidemiological [ 27 – 29 ] and 12 modeling [ 30 – 40 ], met the inclusion criteria. Nine studies were from North America, four from Asia, one from Europe, and one from Australia ( Appendix ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review

2018

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BackgroundSocial distancing is one of the community mitigation measures that may be recommended during influenza pandemics. Social distancing can reduce virus transmission by increasing physical distance or reducing frequency of congregation in socially dense community settings, such as schools or workplaces. We conducted a systematic review to assess the evidence that social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces reduces or slows influenza transmission.MethodsElectronic searches were conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, NIOSHTIC-2, and EconLit to identify studies published in English from January 1, 2000, through May 3, 2017. Data extraction was done by two reviewers independently. A narrative synthesis was performed.ResultsFifteen studies, representing 12 modeling and three epidemiological, met the eligibility criteria. The epidemiological studies showed that social distancing was associated with a reduction in influenza-like illness and seroconversion to 2009 influenza A (H1N1). However, the overall risk of bias in the epidemiological studies was serious. The modeling studies estimated that workplace social distancing measures alone produced a median reduction of 23% in the cumulative influenza attack rate in the general population. It also delayed and reduced the peak influenza attack rate. The reduction in the cumulative attack rate was more pronounced when workplace social distancing was combined with other nonpharmaceutical or pharmaceutical interventions. However, the effectiveness was estimated to decline with higher basic reproduction number values, delayed triggering of workplace social distancing, or lower compliance.ConclusionsModeling studies support social distancing in non-healthcare workplaces, but there is a paucity of well-designed epidemiological studies.Systematic review registration numberPROSPERO registration # CRD42017065310.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5446-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review

2018

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“…First, organizational policies and practices, The health-performance framework of presenteeism such as those supporting temporal flexibility (flexible scheduling, flexitime, annualised hours), spatial flexibility (teleworking), and contract flexibility (part-time, gradual retirement, job share) (Joyce, Pabayo, Critchley, & Bambra, 2010) may help workers balance work demands with their health condition and limitations. For example, in a prospective study (Rousculp et al, 2010) found that the flexibility to work from home when affected with influenza-like symptoms reduced the probability of showing up at the workplace with such symptoms by 29%. This was significantly higher for workers who did not have this pre-arrangement with their employer.…”

Section: Self-determination Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The health-performance framework of presenteeism: Towards understanding an adaptive behaviour

2019

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The substantial health and financial costs of presenteeism are well-documented. Paradoxically, presenteeism also has a positive side, which has been largely overlooked. Emerging evidence shows that presenteeism can be a choice that offers a range of positive benefits to the ‘presentee’ (an employee who works through illness). In this conceptual article, we view presenteeism as purposeful and adaptive behaviour: a dynamic process that serves the purpose of balancing health constraints and performance demands in tandem. We propose a 2×2 framework of presenteeism (therapeutic, functional, overachieving, and dysfunctional) and suggest that the success of the presenteeism adaptation process depends on the availability of internal capacities and flexible work resources. When the workplace is supportive and provides adequate resources to aid adaptation, presenteeism can be a sustainable choice for maintaining performance under impaired health. We examine the role of resources for functional presenteeism by drawing on conservation of resources theory and self-determination theory. This framework can contribute to a better understanding of presenteeism by viewing it as an adaptive process, considering presentees as heterogeneous groups, and exploring the importance of internal and work resources for balancing health and performance demands. It sketches new avenues for research and practice and the effective management of presenteeism, health, and performance.

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“… 59 These disparities could be due to country-specific sick leave policies, nonetheless the variation indicates that some individuals continue to work while ill. Another study based on the 2007/2008 influenza season found that 87% of respondents worked for 3.1 days (SD = 2.9; median = 2), on average, while experiencing influenza-like symptoms) and 72% of respondents worked for 1.3 days (SD = 1.5; median = 1), on average, while experiencing severe influenza. 60 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influenza in workplaces: transmission, workers’ adherence to sick leave advice and European sick leave recommendations

Edwards

Tomba

Blasio

2016

Eur J Public Health

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Background: Knowledge about influenza transmission in the workplace and whether staying home from work when experiencing influenza-like illness can reduce the spread of influenza is crucial for the design of efficient public health initiatives. Aim: This review synthesizes current literature on sickness presenteeism and influenza transmission in the workplace and provides an overview of sick leave recommendations in Europe for influenza. Methods: A search was performed on Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, Cinahl, Web of Science, Scopus and SweMed to identify studies related to workplace contacts, -transmission, -interventions and compliance with recommendations to take sick leave. A web-based survey on national recommendations and policies for sick leave during influenza was issued to 31 European countries. Results: Twenty-two articles (9 surveys; 13 modelling articles) were eligible for this review. Results from social mixing studies suggest that 20–25% of weekly contacts are made in the workplace, while modelling studies suggest that on average 16% (range 9–33%) of influenza transmission occurs in the workplace. The effectiveness of interventions to reduce workplace presenteeism is largely unknown. Finally, estimates from studies reporting expected compliance with sick leave recommendations ranged from 71 to 95%. Overall, 18 countries participated in the survey of which nine (50%) had issued recommendations encouraging sick employees to stay at home during the 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic, while only one country had official recommendations for seasonal influenza. Conclusions: During the 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic, many European countries recommended ill employees to take sick leave. Further research is warranted to quantify the effect of reduced presenteeism during influenza illness.

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Attending Work While Sick: Implication of Flexible Sick Leave Policies

Abstract: Employers that implement teleworking policies may be able to reduce employee-to-employee transmission of respiratory illness, including seasonal and pandemic influenza.

Cited by 26 publications

References 16 publications

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review

Effectiveness of workplace social distancing measures in reducing influenza transmission: a systematic review

The health-performance framework of presenteeism: Towards understanding an adaptive behaviour

Influenza in workplaces: transmission, workers’ adherence to sick leave advice and European sick leave recommendations

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