Abstract
The proposition that workers take less sick leave when threatened by redundancy was examined in a longitudinal, controlled study using information from case records in a general practice. The hypothesis was only partly supported—certificated sickness absence dropped only in employees under the age of 40. Workers fearing job loss reported more illness, and their periods of absence were significantly longer, especially for men and for workers who had previously consulted their general practitioner infrequently.
This study provides further evidence that the fear of mass redundancy is stressful to workers so threatened and costly to a society experiencing rising unemployment.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Beale N., Nethercott S. Job-loss and family morbidity: a study of a factory closure. J R Coll Gen Pract. 1985 Nov;35(280):510–514. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Beale N., Nethercott S. Job-loss and health--the influence of age and previous morbidity. J R Coll Gen Pract. 1986 Jun;36(287):261–264. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Beale N., Nethercott S. Job-loss and morbidity: the influence of job-tenure and previous work history. J R Coll Gen Pract. 1986 Dec;36(293):560–563. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Beale N., Nethercott S. [The health of industrial employees four years after compulsory redundancy]. J R Coll Gen Pract. 1987 Sep;37(302):390–394. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Carne S. Sick absence certification. Analysis of one group practice in 1967. Br Med J. 1969 Jan 18;1(5637):147–149. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5637.147. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Grossmark F. B., Sharer P. A study of certification in general practice. Practitioner. 1967 Sep;199(191):354–355. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Higgs R. Unemployment in my practice. Walworth, London. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981 Aug 22;283(6290):532–532. doi: 10.1136/bmj.283.6290.532. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tanner C. P. Unemployment in my practice: South Shields. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981 Jul 18;283(6285):201–202. doi: 10.1136/bmj.283.6285.201. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Taylor P. Sickness absence: facts and misconceptions. J R Coll Physicians Lond. 1974 Jul;8(4):315–333. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]