Does Workplace Bullying Affect Long-Term Sickness Absence Among Co-Workers?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Does Workplace Bullying Affect Long-Term Sickness Absence Among Co-Workers?

AU - Hansen, Åse Marie

AU - Grynderup, Matias Brødsgaard

AU - Bonde, Jens Peter

AU - Conway, Paul Maurice

AU - Garde, Anne Helene

AU - Kaerlev, Linda

AU - Kolstad, Henrik A

AU - Mikkelsen, Sigurd

AU - Rugulies, Reiner

AU - Thomsen, Jane Frølund

AU - Willert, Morten

AU - Hogh, Annie

PY - 2018/2/1

Y1 - 2018/2/1

N2 - Aim: To examine if non-bullied employees at work units (WUs) with workplace bullying have more long-term sickness absence (LTSA) than employees in non-bullying WUs. Methods: We included 7229 public health employees from 302 WUs and 3158 responders to a questionnaire on working conditions and health in 2007. WUs were classified into three categories of WUs; (1) no bullying (0% bullied); (2) moderate prevalence of bullying (less than 10% bullied); and (3) high prevalence of bullying (more than or equal to 10% bullied). LTSA (more than or equal to 30 consecutive days of sickness absence) during the following 2 years was obtained by linkage to the Danish register of sickness absence compensation benefits and social transfer payments. Results: Non-bullied coworkers in WUs, where bullying was reported had 15% to 22% more LTSA compared with non-bullying WUs. Conclusion: Workplace bullying may be associated with LTSA in the entire WU.

AB - Aim: To examine if non-bullied employees at work units (WUs) with workplace bullying have more long-term sickness absence (LTSA) than employees in non-bullying WUs. Methods: We included 7229 public health employees from 302 WUs and 3158 responders to a questionnaire on working conditions and health in 2007. WUs were classified into three categories of WUs; (1) no bullying (0% bullied); (2) moderate prevalence of bullying (less than 10% bullied); and (3) high prevalence of bullying (more than or equal to 10% bullied). LTSA (more than or equal to 30 consecutive days of sickness absence) during the following 2 years was obtained by linkage to the Danish register of sickness absence compensation benefits and social transfer payments. Results: Non-bullied coworkers in WUs, where bullying was reported had 15% to 22% more LTSA compared with non-bullying WUs. Conclusion: Workplace bullying may be associated with LTSA in the entire WU.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001209

DO - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001209

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29111987

SN - 1076-2752

VL - 60

SP - 132

EP - 137

JO - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

JF - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

IS - 2

ER -