Effect of perceived workplace health support on absenteeism and presenteeism among Japanese workers: a prospective cohort study

TL;DR

Higher perceived workplace health support among Japanese workers is linked to lower presenteeism, suggesting it can improve productivity.

Contribution

This study shows that perceived workplace health support is associated with reduced presenteeism and health-related costs in Japanese workers.

Findings

Higher perceived workplace health support significantly correlates with lower presenteeism.

No consistent relationship was found between perceived workplace health support and absenteeism.

Enhanced workplace health support may serve as a performance indicator for corporate health management.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived workplace health support (PWHS) on absenteeism and presenteeism among Japanese workers to determine the significance of health and productivity management in improving labor productivity.

This prospective cohort study, using data from the Work Systems & Health Internet Research (WSHIR) study, involved 1879 Japanese workers aged 20-69 years. The intensity of PWHS was assessed using self-administered questionnaires. The participants were followed up from October 2021 to October 2022 to evaluate the incidence of absenteeism and presenteeism based on the level of PWHS.

The study findings revealed that higher PWHS significantly correlated with lower presenteeism, indicating better work productivity. Conversely, the relationship between PWHS and absenteeism was less clear, with no consistent trend observed across different levels of PWHS intensity.

Enhanced PWHS was associated with reduced presenteeism among Japanese workers, underscoring the importance of workplace health support for improving employee productivity. This finding emphasizes the need for companies to focus on health promotion activities and recognize the potential of PWHS as a performance indicator in corporate health management.

Key points

What is already known on this topic:

Amid concerns that Japan’s declining population and aging workforce will impact labor productivity, companies are increasingly focusing on maintaining and enhancing workers’ health.

Amid concerns that Japan’s declining population and aging workforce will impact labor productivity, companies are increasingly focusing on maintaining and enhancing workers’ health.

What this study adds:

Evaluating these health promotion efforts is crucial in terms of workers’ perceptions of workplace health support. This cohort study of the effects of perceived workplace health support (PWHS) on presenteeism and absenteeism found that higher PWHS among Japanese workers was associated with lower presenteeism and reduced health-related cost losses.

Evaluating these health promotion efforts is crucial in terms of workers’ perceptions of workplace health support. This cohort study of the effects of perceived workplace health support (PWHS) on presenteeism and absenteeism found that higher PWHS among Japanese workers was associated with lower presenteeism and reduced health-related cost losses.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy:

PWHS has the potential to be a performance indicator for corporate health promotion and health management activities.

PWHS has the potential to be a performance indicator for corporate health promotion and health management activities.

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